Liberalisation will open Pak industries to competition: minister

Some 70 per cent of Pakistan's industries would face stiff competition in the beginning of a liberalised trade with India, Pakistan's ministry of industries joint secretary Shaista Sohail said on Tuesday, but he added that it would ultimately benefit local industries.

''The rest of the 30 per cent industries of the country could compete with any other country, as they would not face any serious problems,'' she added.

Sohail was speaking at a seminar organised by the ministry of industries, in collaboration with the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), on 'Post-MFN implications for the industrial sector' in Karachi on Tuesday.

While speaking to The Express Tribune after the seminar, she said most small industries would face difficulties owing to problems like the electricity crisis and high costs of production in the country.

However, she added a competitive environment would help local industry that had always been protected in the country.

The government's policy on opening up trade had received little support and the Tuesday seminar had a thin attendance from members of KCCI, which is indicative of the suspicions surrounding trade with India.