Any arrangement on transit trade facility only through CD: Pak

Pakistan said any arrangement for granting transit trade facility to India can be contemplated only if the two countries hold formal discussions on the issue under the Composite Dialogue process.

Pakistan on Friday said any arrangement for granting transit trade facility to India can be contemplated only if the two countries hold formal discussions on the issue under the Composite Dialogue process.

The commerce ministry said in a statement that no memorandum of understanding had been signed with India on the issue of transit trade.

It said “any arrangement to this effect (could not) be contemplated until formal trade discussions under the overall umbrella of composite dialogue starts”.

The statement said Commerce Minister Makhdoom Amin Fahim had been misquoted by the media on the issue of granting transit trade facility to India. Any progress on the issue is linked with the composite dialogue process,it added.

Fahim had been quoted by the media as saying that Pakistan had signed a MoU to provide transit facilities to India for its trade with Afghanistan.

Formalities for this will be finalised though Pakistan will ensure that its national interests are protected,he had said.

The MoU was signed following a request from the Indian government to the effect that road and rail transit facilities should be provided for its trade with Afghanistan,Fahim had reportedly told reporters in Lahore earlier this week.