The federal government has decided to appoint a trade officer in India despite a halt to commercial traffic between the two countries since New Delhi altered the status of Occupied Kashmir in 2019, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Monday, quoting sources.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered initiating the process for appointed a new trade officer in India despite suspension of trading between the two neighbours. The prime minister also abolished the grade-20 post of trade and investment minister in India.

According to the sources, the important decision has been taken to appoint a trade and investment consular on grade-19 post.

The important decision has been made just a month before the constitutional term of the government end to appoint the officer at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi.

Pakistan had suspended trade with India in August 2019 after the revocation of the autonomous status of Jammu and Kashmir by the BJP-led Indian government. Pakistan had refused to restore trading relations under the Modi government or until the status of Kashmir is reinstated.

Sources in the Commerce Ministry insisted said there had been no change in trade policy with India.

It is interesting to mention that the government had earlier appointed a trade minister in India in May 2022 also but it faced scathing criticism from the then Opposition parties.

The government had then clarified appointment did not mean a change in Islamabad’s policy on trade with India.

Reporter Awais Kiyani