ISLAMABAD: The Senate, which resumed it session in Islamabad on Friday, with Chairman Raza Rabbani in the chair, began discussion on Pakistan-China trade relations.
Commencing the debate, Mian Muhammad Ateeq Shaikh pointed out that Pakistan has signed free trade agreements with different countries including China, but we have failed to take full advantage from them. He proposed that FTAs should be revived keeping in view the interest of the country.
Usman Kakar said that before signing trade agreement with any country, the government should get its approval from the Parliament. He said the agreements should be signed keeping in view the interest of our industries.
Mohsin Leghari said Pakistan should renegotiate FTA with China with the aim to promote its agriculture products to the country. He said Pakistan should seek from China the reduction in tariff on the agro-based products.
Kalsoom Parveen emphasized the need for promoting and supporting the domestic industries in order to address our economic woes.
Farhatullah Babar said the CPEC is an important project and the toll tax to be generated under the corridor project should fairly be distributed amongst the federating units.
Minister for Maritimes affairs Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo said China is developing Gwadar port on built operate and transfer basis and after forty years, China will transfer ownership of the port to Pakistan.
Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Shaikh Aftab Ahmed moved before the House “The Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan (Amendment) Bill, 2017”.
The Chair referred the bill to the standing committee concerned.
The house will now meet on Monday at four pm.