ISLAMABAD, July 19: The federal government has ignored the four provinces for the first time in framing of trade policy for 2005-06. Informed sources told Dawn on Tuesday that in the past, the commerce ministry used to consult provinces in finalizing the proposals for the trade policy.

According to the sources, two provinces have reportedly registered their displeasure with the federal government for not seeking their proposals before finalizing the trade policy.

Commerce Minister Humayun Akhtar Khan will unveil the policy on radio and television on July 21.

The sources said the commerce minister last year met the Chief Minister of Punjab Chaudhary Pervez Elahi in Lahore and Governor Sindh Dr. Ishratul Ibad in Karachi much ahead the finalization of the trade policy proposals for the year 2004-05.

Similarly, the NWFP Chief Minister Mohammad Akram Durrani met the commerce minister on July 17, 2004 for giving his input for the trade policy.

Mr. Durrani, last year, asked for restoration of special facilities for the Gadoon Amazai Industrial Estate, which he said had led to the closure of most of the industrial units there, a financial crunch for the investors and huge worker lay offs. He also demanded establishment of model quarry in the province for the promotion of marble and granite export.

The chief minister also gave a long list of proposals to the ministry for consideration in the last year trade policy. Most of them were not included in the trade policy, the sources said and added those which were made part of the last year trade policy were yet to be implemented.

Similarly, the Chief Minister of Balochistan Jam Muhammad Yousuf also met the commerce minister in Islamabad on July 20 last year for sharing the proposals of his province for the enhancement of export of some products.

Besides minerals, marble, gems, shrimp farming, Mr Yousuf demanded establishment of tomato paste plant to save the waste of that crop, which would also increase export of tomatoes.

Similar proposals came from Sindh and Punjab which were mostly included in the trade policy, added the sources.