Cross-border trade assns back move to withdraw MFN status to Pakistan
Hold Pak responsible for Pulwama attack, say step will isolate it in international community
AMRITSAR: Several trade associations involved in Indo-Pakistan trade through the Attari-Wagah international border supported the Centre’s decision to withdraw the most-favoured nation (MFN) status to Pakistan in the wake of the Pulwama terror attack that left at least 40 CRPF men dead on Thursday.
MFN status is given to an international trading partner to ensure non-discriminatory flow of goods between members of the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Expressing solidarity with the families of those killed in the attack, various organisations supported the government’s move to ensure isolation of Pakistan in the international community, holding the neighbouring country responsible for the killing of the CRPF jawans.
AP Singh Chatha of the Cement Importers Association said Pakistan should be given the status of “most unfavoured nation” instead. “Trade is one thing but our moral duty is to stand with our security forces. We cannot sympathise with them (Pakistan) for what they are doing,” he said.
Mohit Khanna, president, ICP Chamber of Commerce, said they are Indian first and businessman later. “This attack is highly condemnable. We are 100 with the government. Whatever step it takes from security point of view is welcome even if it means closing trade,” he said.
“We stand together as a country. Indo-Pak trade through the J&K border or the Line of Control (LoC) should be stopped. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) in its report said all illegal activities and funding takes place through border trade in J&K. But there is nothing wrong with trade through normal border routes like the one in Punjab where movement of goods is monitored properly,” said Rajdeep Singh Uppal of the Confederation of International Chambers of Commerce (CICC).
‘DON’T MIX TRADE AND POLITICS’
But Rupinder Singh Sachdeva, chairman of the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI), had reservation about the government’s move.
“Business or trade should not be mixed with politics. Till the charges against Pakistan are not established, the government should take any decision in haste. Whatever the political situation, let the businessmen do their job,” he said.