Cabinet approves suspending bilateral trade ties with India

ISLAMABAD: Federal cabinet on Friday endorsed the decision of National Security Committee's meeting of suspending bilateral trade ties with India after India scrapped occupied Kashmir's special status. A meeting of the federal cabinet was held with Prime Minister Imran Khan in chair.

During the meeting, the federal cabinet approved suspending bilateral trade ties with India, as decided in the National Security Council's meeting.

The meeting also approved suspending Samjhauta Express and Thar Express. It is pertinent here to mention that the decision to suspend Samjhauta Express was announced by Federal Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmed saying the train service won't start until he is the minister.

Earlier, following India's decision to end special status of Occupied Kashmir, the National Security Committee (NSC) decided to downgrade diplomatic relations and suspend bilateral trade with India. The decision was made during NSC meeting chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan and attended by Foreign Minister, Defence Minister, Interior Minister, Minister for Education, Minister for Human Rights, Minister for KA&GB, Law Minister, Adviser Finance, CJCSC, COAS, CAS, CNS, SAPM on Information, DG-ISI, DG-ISPR, Secretary Foreign Affairs and other senior officers.

It was also decided in the meeting that 14th of August to be observed in solidarity with brave Kashmiris and their just struggle for their right of self-determination, whereas, 15th of August will be observed as Black Day.