Islamabad, Sept 22(ANI): The Pakistan Cabinet has given a green signal for starting negotiations with India for signing a customs cooperation agreement for facilitating trade.
Pakistan Information Minister Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said the meeting, which was presided over by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, had given a nod for the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan and Indian Trade Promotion Organisation worked out during the Commerce Secretary's visit to New Delhi.
Sources told Dawn that the MoU was expected to be signed during Commerce Minister Makhdoom Amin Fahim's visit to India next week.
Awan said the meeting focused on efforts being made to provide relief flood-affected Sindh people and that the Pakistan Government would ensure accountability and transparency in the process.
She said that the government stressed on self-reliance and social mobilisation with the help of sports legends, artistes and civil society, instead of relying on foreign aid.
National Disaster Management Authority Chairman Zafar Qadir said aerial anti-malaria spray had been stopped World Health Organisation and Unicef warned that it was hazardous for people and livestock.
He brushed aside the criticism that the NDMA had failed to take timely steps to minimise losses and said that the forecast had come just two days before the crisis.
"It is not possible for any organisation to effectively respond to a challenge at such a short notice," he said.
According to the latest figures, 8.07 million people had been affected and 1.35 million houses damaged by the floods in the Sindh province, he added.(ANI)
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