ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Commerce Khurram Dastgir Khan has said that World Trade Organisation (WTO) has approved to include Pakistan in Government Procurement Group as observer.
Addressing a press conference, Khurram Dastgir said that the approval of Pakistan’s request is the first step towards accession to WTO Government Procurement Agreement. He further said that Pakistan want to take part in bidding part of US government’s procurement, which is around $1.7 trillion (Rs1700 billion).
However, it is necessary for Pakistan to become member of WTO Government Procurement Agreement before taking part in bidding of government of United States procurement.
The US congress had suspended the trade concessionary regime for all 127 countries from last 19 months. Sharing the trade figures, he informed that Pakistan’s trade with United States is $5.3 billion wherein our exports stood at $3.7 billion and imports at $1.5 billion.
About Dr Tauqir Shah’s appointment as ambassador to the World Trade Organization (WTO), the federal minister claimed that the government appointed Dr Tauqir on merit as he fulfilled the criteria required for the post.
Tauqir Shah, former principal secretary and close aide of the Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif, would leave for Washington in next few days to assume the charge of Ambassador WTO.
Dr Tauqir Shah was removed from his post after the Model Town tragedy, in which police gunned down at least 14 workers of the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) during an anti-encroachment operation in June 2014.
The PAT had also written letter to WTO Chairperson in January 2015 requesting his appointment may be turned down in view of his criminal involvement in model town Massacre.
