The National Assembly was informed on Thursday that decision about giving India the Most Favoured Nation status will be taken on the basis of mutual interests but security always remains the top priority agenda despite best interests of both the nations.
Minister of State for Education and Trainings Muhammad Balighur Rehman, on behalf of Minister of State for Privatization, told the House during question hour that since the dialogue between Pakistan and India in 2011-12 on this matter‚ there has been a significant progress‚ however‚ further progress depends on the resumption of Composite Dialogue between the two countries.
He said Negative Item List has been reduced to 1209 from over 2000 items.
He said it is not possible to grant the status at a time when there is tension on the borders. He said government cannot take a stand alone in this regard.
The Minister of State said that share of textile exports during last fiscal year were 13.18 billion US dollar and a rebate of two billion dollars was given to the textile exporters. He said a total of 114 textile units were set up during 2012-13 while 49 out of 4678 registered units were closed down.
He said the decision to open Khokhrapar/Monabao route for normal trade was taken by the commerce ministers of Pakistan and India during their meeting held on February 2012 at Islamabad.
He said a joint working group on this matter had to be established‚ which has now been constituted. He said both sides have communicated the constitution of the groups and internal consultation is in progress. He said first meeting of working group will be scheduled after completing the internal consultation process.