Pakistan Taking Efforts To Resolve Problems Of Labourers In Saudi Arabia: NA Told

ISLAMABAD,(UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 3rd Augst,2016) : Parliamentary Secretary for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Development Muhammad Shafqat Hayat Khan Wednesday said on the directions of Prime Minister, the government was taking measures to resolve problems of Pakistani labourers in Saudi Arabia. Speaking during question-hour in the National Assembly, he said Pakistani Ambassador in Riyadh was vigorously pursuing the matter with Saudi authorities and managements of the companies concerned in this regard.

Shafqat Hayat Khan pointed out that facilitation centres had also been set up for them and efforts were underway for their settlement in Saudi Arabia or their safe return home. Meanwhile the Minister for Law and Justice Zahid Hamid on behalf of Commerce Minister informed the House that Pakistan and China were negotiating the second phase of Pak-China Free Trade Agreement.

He said that Pakistan had shared its concerns regarding adverse impact of cheap imports from China on the local industry.

He said both sides were working to find an amicable solution which adequately addresses the genuine concerns of both the countries. He also expressed the hope that transit, bilateral and regional trade under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor would increase in future which would have a positive impact on Pakistan's economy. Answering a question, Zahid Hamid said that Pakistan's exports to UK had increased by about forty percent since 2013.

He said as UK negotiated its withdrawal from EU, GSP Plus facility in UK was likely to remain available for Pakistani exporters for another two years. He pointed out that UK was a leading trade partner of Pakistan and Pak-UK bilateral trade stood at 2.06 billion Euros in 2015.

He said that Pakistan was also in the process of negotiating a Free Trade Agreement with UK to enhance bilateral trade.