ISLAMABAD, March 16: The World Trade Organization (WTO) Council for Trade in Goods (CTG) has deferred Pakistan?s application seeking extension for the continuation of deletion programme for the local auto-manufacturers. Officials in the commerce ministry told Dawn on Wednesday that CTG deferred the application at the request of Pakistan, which would now be considered in the next meeting of CTG.

The CTG was earlier scheduled to consider Pakistan?s request of seeking another three years extension in the deletion programe on March 11. Pakistan would be the only country in the world seeking protection for the auto-manufacturers under WTO regime.

Pakistan along with seven other countries sought four years extension up to December 2003 which was granted. At the end of this period, all other countries have complied with the agreement. However, Pakistan was seeking another extension.

According to experts, this time it would be a difficult task for Pakistan to get extension in the scheme as there was no reason for continuation of the scheme, which was no where in practice in the world. The continuation of this scheme rather halted investors from investment in the auto sector in Pakistan as they could not meet the requirement of deletion programme, the experts added.