The World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) decision to reject trade concessions to Pakistan has raised questions about the sole international trade body’s credibility, said Coordination Chairman Raza Khan. “WTO could not take a strong stance on the issue and succumbed to Indian pressure against provision of any preferential treatment to Pakistan,” he said here on Sunday.
Furthermore, Raza Khan said it was unfortunate that the US also failed to turn the decision in Islamabad’s favour, he said. The US and WTO should realise the needs of developing countries and be fair. Khan said this move had created anti-American and anti-Indian feelings among Pakistanis. He said Pakistan should no push its case in international forums and should adopt a policy of regional trade pacts.
Pakistan joined the WTO in January 1995 but since then the country has not benefited. WTO is frequently criticised for its failure to supervise international trade, he maintained. Raza said many experts feel it is a threat to poor nations and call it a political tool in the hands of industrialised nations. He also condemned claims of top commerce officials that the concessions will be approved soon. They need to have greater awareness about ground realities, he remarked.