Islamabad, Jul 27: Pakistan needs to do a "serious study" before granting the Most Favoured Nation status to India, foreign secretary Riaz Khokhar said here today. A "very serious study" by all the stakeholders {the business community, the trade organistaions and the foreign office) is required before taking a decision to grant MFN status to India, Khokhar said here at a seminar on "global economic challenges: the role of the foreign office".

Though there is "no fixed view" on the matter, he said there was a need to look at the issue of trade with New Delhi objectively. He also alleged that India has the most restrictive trade regime in the whole world.

Referring to the forthcoming South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) talks, he said it was imperative for the private sector and the government to join hands and look at all aspects.

We are "not afraid...(are) ready to do trade, but need to do our homework, need to keep our political considerations in view," Khokhar added.

Bureau Report