Foreign Office spokesperson Tehmina Janjua.—File Photo

ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office on Thursday tried to clear the air about the ‘most favoured nation’ (MFN) status for India, saying the federal cabinet had only agreed to the proposal ‘in principle’ and a decision would be taken after consultations between the commerce ministries of the two countries.

“The cabinet unanimously decided in principle to according MFN (status) to India, which both sides will have to work towards in further engagements by their commerce secretaries,” Foreign Office spokesperson Tehmina Janjua said at her weekly media briefing.

Information Minister Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan had told reporters the previous day that the cabinet had unanimously decided to grant India the MFN status to improve bilateral trade ties and that the decision had been taken after consulting all stakeholders.

Ms Janjua referred to a press note issued by the commerce ministry on Wednesday that had said: “The cabinet gave the ministry of commerce the mandate to take the process of normalisation forward, which would culminate in the observance of the MFN principle in its true spirit.”

The spokesperson said the cabinet’s decision was in effect about normalisation of trade ties between the two countries which would eventually culminate in granting the MFN status to India.

Conscious of the fact that her clarification may be interpreted by some quarters as the government’s backtracking on the issue, she reiterated the commitment to improving trade ties with India. “It is evident that we wish to normalise trade relations with India in a mutually beneficial manner.”

Her fears were not completely unfounded.

Indian publication Hindu’s story about the briefing on its website carried the headline ‘Pak now dilly-dallying on MFN status to India’. Similarly, Indian news agency Press Trust of India said: “A day after granting most favoured nation status to India, the Pakistan government on Thursday appeared to be playing to the gallery by being ambiguous on the issue”.

The spokesperson also tried to reassure groups opposed to trade concessions for India that all critical issues, including Jammu and Kashmir; and peace and security remained on table in resumed dialogue with the country. “The fact remains that all issues of importance between Pakistan and India continue to be discussed.”

LIBYA: “We recognise both the state and the government of Libya as instituted by the National Transition Council (NTC) and are working with the government of Libya,” Ms Janjua said.

Pakistan had avoided recognising the NTC as Libya’s government till ousted Libyan Leader Col Qadhafi was killed last month.

The spokesperson said: “Pakistan has clearly stated that in the context of any discussions on recognition of any government there is never recognition of a particular government. There is always recognition of the state and from that flows the recognition of the government.”

APP adds: She said the recent meeting of the presidents of Pakistan, Turkey and Afghanistan, assisted by their foreign ministers, had proven extremely useful.

Ms Janjua said two protocols had been signed by the three countries for training of police personnel and military exercises.

Updating reporters about the recent meetings on Afghanistan, she said Pakistan’s principled objectives were to promote stability, peace and prosperity in that country.

She referred to the country’s active participation in trilateral processes regarding Afghanistan with Turkey, Iran and the United States and the Pakistan-Afghanistan-Tajikistan-Russia quadrilateral as well as the initiatives of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and Regional Economic Cooperation Conference on Afghanistan.

At the Istanbul Conference on Afghanistan, Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar extended an assurance to the government and people of Afghanistan of Pakistan’s full support in their endeavours to overcome all challenges, she said.

The foreign minister underscored Pakistan’s commitment to promoting socio-economic development of Afghanistan and the region by a collaborative endeavour that optimised the region’s potential.

There was support for an Afghan-led and -owned process of peace and reconciliation which was inclusive and lead to re-establishment of a societal equilibrium that conformed fully with the aspirations of the nation, its customs and traditions.

Foreign Minister Khar stressed the importance of the return of three million Afghan refugees hosted by Pakistan to their homes in safety and with honour.

She stressed that existing regional organisations, particularly ECO and SCO, could play an important role.

The minister said Pakistan would continue to endeavour to enhance its bilateral cooperation with Afghanistan for peace and prosperity.

The spokesperson said the conference had adopted a broad-ranging document that stipulated certain principles and CBMs which constituted an expression of the region’s solidarity and support for Afghanistan.

She said Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, at the Commonwealth heads of government meeting, had especially reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to the advancement of women and food security.

The prime minister also participated in a special event on polio eradication along with leaders of Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and Nigeria.