ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Wednesday clarified that it has not given any relaxation in trade with India. The clarification has been issued by the ministry of commerce.
It said that the Ministry of Commerce manages 57 Trade Missions in 46 countries which includes the post of Minister (Trade and Investment) in New Delhi, India.
The Post of Minister (Trade and Investment) in New Delhi exists for more than two decades and has no connection with the operationalization of trade with India or otherwise in the current context.
The current cycle for selection of Trade and Investment Officers (TIOs) including New Delhi was initiated in December, 2021 and the final recommendations of the Interview Board were sent to Prime Minister’s Office on 01-04-2022 i.e. during previous Government.
The present Government has given the final approval on the recommendations of previous Government for selection of 15 TIOs.
The appointment of Minister (Trade and Investment) New Delhi, therefore, may not be seen in the context of any relaxation of trade restrictions with India.
The ministry reiterated that the appointment process was part of routine administrative procedures and should not be interpreted as a policy shift regarding bilateral trade relations. Officials maintained that all existing trade restrictions and policies concerning India remain unchanged. Pakistan and India have suspended normal trade ties since 2019 following heightened political tensions between the two neighboring countries.
