ISLAMABAD, Nov 2: The government has constituted a high-level committee to work out measures for initiating dialogue on the proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with China.

An official source in the commerce ministry told Dawn on Tuesday that the committee comprises senior officials of the ministry to work out modalities of the agreement in consultation with the relevant stakeholders.

A similar committee has been constituted by the Chinese government for the same purpose, added the official.

The committee, the official said would start consultation with the relevant stakeholders on the items to be placed under the sensitive list - not to be considered for duty reduction.

Pakistan and China had signed preferential trade arrangement (PTA) on November 3, 2003, which became effective from January 1, 2004. Under the PTA, China has given preferential tariff on 777 items including garments, textile made-ups, leather products and fruits, vegetables. In return, Pakistan has offered similar concessions on around 192 items to China.