LAHORE: Prime Minister’s Advisor on Commerce, Textile and Industry Abdul Razak Dawood on Monday said there was no immediate prospect of trade with India as the circumstances were not suitable until the election took place in the neighbouring country, ARY news reported.
Abdul Razak Dawood said this while talking to media in Lahore.
Talking about the offer of the free trade agreement (FTA) extended by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham earlier this month, he said it would take several years to implement the offer of FTA with the United States.
The advisor said devaluation of rupee would in a few months increase exports and decrease imports.
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“The government will cogitate over reservations of foreign investors on security clearance. The industry has started running because of the government’s policies,” he said.
He also said that the bilateral trade volume would rise after improving relations with Afghanistan.
To a query, Abdul Razak Dawood said immediate relief to the masses was not possible.
Earlier this month a Republican Senator, considered close to US President Donald Trump floated a proposal seeking a free trade agreement (FTA) with Pakistan as an incentive for Islamabad to play a positive role in bringing Afghan Taliban to the negotiation table.
Senator Lindsey Graham, who was in Afghanistan on Dec 21 made clear that he was also worried about a possible US troop reduction in Afghanistan, where 14,000 troops are deployed, in what is known as America’s longest war.
In an interview with CNN, the Senator warned that the US should now focus on the emerging threat of Daesh. ‘It can be done if Taliban are brought to the table and Pakistan can play an important role,’ he said.
