KARACHI, July 21: The Trade Policy 2005-06 announced by Commerce Minister Humayun Akhtar Khan on Thursday was overshadowed by a fresh wave of bomb blasts in London, as people were glued to their TV sets for developments in the second most important capital of the world. Secondly, business leaders were keen to listen to President Pervez Musharraf, who was to address the nation about 45 minutes after the announcement of the trade policy.

Consequently, the businessmen contacted were either unaware of the trade policy announcement or were more keen to listen to the president.

Surprisingly, some traders and their leaders, who were supposed to be directly affected by the policy decisions, instead of giving their reaction to the new trade policy posed counter-questions regarding details of the policy.