'Pak Govt striving to promote trade, social ties with India'

Islamabad, May 3 (ANI): Pakistan Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar has said the government is striving to normalise trade with India, while speaking in the National Assembly.

Khar said that as a first step, a negative list of 1209 items has been notified which will be phased out by December this year, leading to complete normalisation of trade with India. She hoped India would also remove non-tariff barriers for the improvement of trade ties, which will ultimately be beneficial to the consumers of both the countries.

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani also said all steps are being taken to promote trade as well as social ties between India and Pakistan.

Gilani said President Asif Ali Zardari had also met with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and both have agreed to boost friendly relations to ensure peace in the region.

Speaking about Pakistan's relations with other countries in the recent years, Khar said international relations with important countries have improved due to the efforts made by the current government.

"Getting preferential trade access to the EU markets is a success of the present government," The Express Tribune quoted her, as saying. (ANI)