MFN is fine but Pak won't budge on Kashmir

[Paan Singh]

Islamabad: Pakistan may have granted Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to India but stands by its stance on Kashmir, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani told ministers in his cabinet.

According to Minister for Information and Broadcasting Firdous Ashiq Awan, Gilani had told the cabinet that Pakistan would always continue its support for the Kashmir cause and granting MFN status for India would not affect the national stance.

Pakistan would never budge on its stance on Kashmir and would continue its unflinching political, moral and diplomatic support for the cause of Kashmiris, Awan said on Wednesday.

She said that there was no question of any compromise on Pakistan's stand on Kashmir, reported Associated Press of Pakistan.

Citing China's example, Awan said Beijing and India have territorial disputes, but the two countries have expanded their trade in the recent past.

Pakistan on Wednesday granted MFN status to India, reciprocating a 15-year-old gesture.

India had given Pakistan the MFN status in 1996 but Islamabad did not respond positively. Ties between the two countries deteriorated after the Mumbai terror attack in 2008 for which Pakistan was blamed.

Awan said Indian goods are being smuggled into Pakistan, causing a loss to the national exchequer and Islamabad has legalised trade by giving India MFN status.

According to a think-tank, the country will save USD 800 million per annum in terms of trade with India, the minister added.

The cabinet, which met here on Wednesday, was briefed on the steps being taken for normalisation of trade with India.

The cabinet directed the Commerce Ministry to ensure that Pakistan's vital national economic interests are fully protected.

They used to say same about mfn status few years ago,wait for 10 years more

http://zeenews.**********/news/sout...pak-won-t-budge-on-kashmir-gilani_739594.html

 

[dabong1]

They used to say same about mfn status few years ago,wait for 10 years more

You might be right.......in 10 years all your excuses on kashmir would have been exhausted and then you will be have no choice but to give the kashmiris the vote the UN-Nehru promised.

 

[IND151]

Awan said Indian goods are being smuggled into Pakistan, causing a loss to the national exchequer and Islamabad has legalised trade by giving India MFN status.

According to a think-tank, the country will save USD 800 million per annum in terms of trade with India, the minister added.

 

[ramu]

They used to say same about mfn status few years ago,wait for 10 years more

You might be right.......in 10 years all your excuses on kashmir would have been exhausted and then you will be have no choice but to give the kashmiris the vote the UN-Nehru promised.

Kashmir has a democratically elected state government and is verified from the world media that the elections in Kashmir are free and fair. With voter turnout of over 80% you are still living in a dream. Kashmir is in love with the idea of Pakistan and no two ways about it but they would love to live in India rather than becoming a part of what Pakistan is today.

Focus on trade, earn money, make your family happy. Forget Kashmir, live and let live.

 

[bandit]

Pakistan in 2006-

"Pakistan's stand on the MFN status to India and opening of the Attari-Wagha border on permanent basis for trade of all commodities is very clear and it is linked with progress on political issues, including Kashmir," Commerce Secretary Syed Asif Shah, who will be lead the Pakistan delegation at the talks, said. Asked whether Pakistan "gave MFN status to India" following the SAARC countries ratifying the regional free trade area, Mr Shah said bilateral trade with India would still continue through a "positive approach", but did not elaborate.
The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - World

Pakistan in 2011-

Islamabad: Pakistan may have granted Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to India but stands by its stance on Kashmir, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani told ministers in his cabinet.

Economics is funny innit

 

[karan.1970]

They used to say same about mfn status few years ago,wait for 10 years more

You might be right.......in 10 years all your excuses on kashmir would have been exhausted and then you will be have no choice but to give the kashmiris the vote the UN-Nehru promised.

No..........

 

[third eye]

They used to say same about mfn status few years ago,wait for 10 years more

You might be right.......in 10 years all your excuses on kashmir would have been exhausted and then you will be have no choice but to give the kashmiris the vote the UN-Nehru promised.

What will change in ten years that did not happen in the last 64 ?

Politicians have forked tongues - one for the public & the other to act.

As far as India is concerned, slowly slowy one thing at a time. No one is in a hurry.

 

[newdelhinsa]

They used to say same about mfn status few years ago,wait for 10 years more

You might be right.......in 10 years all your excuses on kashmir would have been exhausted and then you will be have no choice but to give the kashmiris the vote the UN-Nehru promised.

At present it is only Pakistan who is running out of options. You are doing what India was asking you to do since many decades back till today. Now when you guys have just done what we are saying, clever posters like you have jumped in to make virtue out of vice (trade with evil Hindu India) and interestingly all haters have gone on holidays shamelessly.

 

[OrionHunter]

Pakistan would never budge on its stance on Kashmir and would continue its unflinching political, moral and diplomatic support for the cause of Kashmiris, Awan said on Wednesday.

And support to terror organizations in Kashmir that include the LeT and JeM! (Pakistan's 'strategic assets' as Kayani himself implied).

She said that there was no question of any compromise on Pakistan's stand on Kashmir, reported Associated Press of Pakistan.

In other words handing over Kashmir to Pakistan on a sliver platter! Firdous Ashiq Awan should ask the Kashmiris that question today. Things have changed enormously since the early 90s. Firdous is therefore living in a fool's paradise like many others who think the Kashmiris are enamored by Pakistan. Not any more! Even SAS Geelani of the Hurriyat had told Hina Rabbani during her visit to New Delhi that Pakistan should get its house in order first!

 

[Areesh]

Looks like we have learned something from China.

Good work Pakistan.

 

[Developereo]

- The MFN decision has nothing to do with the economy; it was forced by Clinton and her high-powered team.

- This idiot Gilani thinks everybody is as stupid as he is. He is just saying it to calm the public about his sellout to the US.

 

[SpArK]

We are happy with the stalemate.

No need to budge.

 

[GURU DUTT]

We are happy with the stalemate.

No need to budge.[/QUOTE]

Thats the best response so far great...!

 

[Varad]

Its expected of them. They have to keep the sentiments of the Pakistanis in mind.

Anyway lets look forward to trade.

 

[bandit]

- The MFN decision has nothing to do with the economy; it was forced by Clinton and her high-powered team.

- This idiot Gilani thinks everybody is as stupid as he is. He is just saying it to calm the public about his sellout to the US.

So you mean everybody that matters in Pak from PM, Cabinet to the Military that agreed to the proposal is a sellout?