Prime Minister Imran Khan says no to resuming trade with India

ISLAMABAD: With regards to the Economic Coordination Committee’s (ECC) decision to allow the import of sugar, cotton, and cotton yarn from India; Prime Minister Imran Khan held consultations with key members of his cabinet on Friday; decided that Pakistan could not go ahead with any trade with India under the current circumstances.

Pakistan has constantly stated that any forward movement requires India to create an enabling environment by revisiting; its unilateral and illegal measures of August 5, 2019, regarding India-held Kashmir.

Sources said that the prime minister instructed the Ministry of Commerce; his economic team to immediately take steps to facilitate the relevant sectors; value-added, apparel, and sugar, by finding alternative cheap sources of import of the needed commodities.

According to the sources, various proposals have been presented to the ECC which considers these suggestions from an economic and commercial point of view. After consideration by the ECC; its decisions presented to the cabinet for ratification and final approval.

The source said that in the present case; a proposal presented to the ECC to allow the import of cotton; cotton yarn, and sugar from India keeping in view domestic requirements.

The ECC had decided on commercial grounds to recommend these imports for the cabinet’s consideration.

While this decision was not on the formal agenda of the cabinet meeting, the issue brought up by cabinet members and the prime minister instructed that the ECCs decision be deferred and immediately reviewed.