ISLAMABAD: State Minister for Commerce and Textile Industry Khurram Dastgir informed the Senate that Pakistan exported a total of 78 items to India and the number of items imported from the neighbouring country remained 94. The Minister assured the Senate that no proposal was under consideration to abolish foreign posts of commercial officers.
Replying to a question, the minister said that the government has decided to rationalize the strength of trade offices abroad to make them more efficient and cost effective.
He informed that 10 officers of grade 18-20 and around 90 officials of the Commerce Division would likely to be affected through this exercise.
Dastgir said that enormous supporting staff was working abroad and getting almost same allowances as officers.
Similarly the retrenchment decision will not impact the business community as the staff being retrenched is not involve in the trade promotional activities, Khurram Dastagir assured.
He said that government was taking steps for the improvement of the performance of employees working abroad, adding that the government was also inviting friendly countries for investment in Pakistan.