By Himanshu Guru: Pakistan seems to be changing with a positive angle towards India. This can be felt through the recent grant of MFN status to India. After all, the step is likely to boost bilateral economic ties.

 

The move can be counted as the biggest liberalization in trade policy between the two countries since partition in 1947.

 

Granting the Most Favored Status (MFN) means the two countries can now trade on equal terms, typically giving each other low tariffs and high import quotas.

 

Garment exporters in Pakistan have strongly supported the move saying it would help them get a foothold in the fast-growing Indian market. Indian Trade community has also welcomed the step. Indian Trade Secretary Rahul Khullar says "It's a very powerful step, and a welcome step in the right direction,"

 

Regarding the speculation that – is Pakistan changing, the answer is ‘yes’. But it is equally true that the country has taken a wise decision to go for the MSN looking at several factors.

 

India signed a wide-ranging agreement with Afghanistan last month, which is not a good sign for Pakistan. Again the Osama raid in Pakistan in May, heavily effected the Pak-US relation. Hence in this condition Pakistan took the right step to improve relation with the neighboring country.

 

And besides security concern, this step will boost up business of both the country providing income to the people through different trades. Also the step will allow bilateral investments eventually creating an integrated South Asian market.

 

"It's a  major milestone in terms of change in the mindset of Pakistan I think they have realized they can't have bad relations with the United States and at the same time continue to have very poor relations with India," said retired Pakistani general and prominent commentator Talat Masood.

 

At the top of all, Pakistan granted the MFN, which should be welcomed.

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