13 January 2004	Tuesday	20 Ziqa'ad 1424

BEIJING, Jan 12: Pakistan has approved setting up its consulate office in Shanghai, but it is yet to start functioning. Members of Pakistani community who wanted to expand business in China said the delay was causing problems.

An official of the Pakistan Embassy said the Chinese government has already provided land for the consulate office and would be opened at the earliest. However, the process to have its own building may take three to five years. Meanwhile, a temporary office would be established at a rented building, without any further delay, sources said. They hoped that opening of the consulate would boost the trade with China.-APP