Islamabad: Pakistan, which till recently was averse to discuss regional trade issues and linked it to the resolution of Kashmir issue with India, said today (Dec 11, 2003) that the much-awaited South Asian Free Trade Arrangement (SAFTA) is likely to be signed at next month's regional summit in Islamabad.

A top official of Pakistan Commerce Ministry said in Islamabad that Pakistan was actively negotiating the SAFTA and it is likely to be signed during the SAARC Summit to be held in Islamabad from Jan 4-6, 2004.

"The Trade Agreement is almost in its final stages which is expected to be signed on the eve of SAARC Summit, scheduled to be held in January 2004 in Islamabad," Sharif Ijaz Ghauri, Additional Secretary and Spokesman for the Ministry of Commerce, told reporters.

The Free Trade Agreement will allow concessional trade among the SAARC member countries.

Ghauri said the list of trading items under the proposed agreement were exchanged by the member- countries during the Kathmandu Summit.

Ghauri's statement is significant as till recently Pakistan was averse to granting more trade concessions and linked increase in trade with settlement of Kashmir and other issues with India.

However, with the successful completion of the penultimate round of talks of SAARC officials at Kathmandu this month, Pakistan appeared to be upbeat about the signing of the SAFTA treaty.

PTI