ISLAMABAD, Aug 1: International Islamic University President Dr Mehmood Ahmed Ghazi has underlined the importance of detailed and exhaustive study of the World Trade Organization (WTO) to meet the challenges arising from implementation of the regime.

The IIU president was speaking at a four-day training workshop held the other day on the topic of "WTO, Principles and Laws", said a press release. Mr Ghazi asked the institutions of higher learning both in the public as well as private sector to make concerted efforts for publication of the WTO's translations in regional languages.

This will enable the individuals associated with agricultural, industrial and commercial institutions to prepare themselves for the challenges stemming from the implementation of the accord, he added.

The IIU president said after implementation of the World Trade Organization from January 2005, people would have to determine the standard of agricultural and industrial products as well as their marketing and pricing.

He, however, regretted that the people concerned had absolutely no knowledge of the WTO and other related issues at all. They have not made a serious endeavour to understand the issues, he added.

Dr Ghazi was of the opinion that after the implementation of the World Trade Organization, the market of wheat, rice and garments would switch over to India, while Pakistan's cotton industry would also be effected adversely.

He said both the private and public sectors must make serious study of the WTO instead of engaging themselves in mutual criticism. Later, Dr Mehmood Ahmed Ghazi distributed certificates among the workshop participants.