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Pakistan ratifies SAFTA - but no free trade with India
19-Feb-2006     UNI
Pakistan has ratified the much-trumpeted South Asia Free Trade Agreement (Safta), but trade between India and Pakistan will not be initiated under this agreement, instead it will continue under the existing import regime.
Inept handling of trade agreements
18-Feb-2006     Financial Express
All trade agreements may fumble in delivering results if they take effect prior to completion of all modalities and arrangements, which are to govern and ease trade between the signatory countries. But both the South Asian Preferential Trade Agreement (SAPTA) and its successor agreement on free trade -- South Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) -- were signed before completing these essential formalities
Pakistan approves free trade pact in South Asia
15-Feb-2006     Reuters
The Pakistani cabinet approved a regional pact on Wednesday to promote free trade and economic ties in South Asia, home to nearly one-fifth of the world's population.
India will have to allay fears of other members about its dominance
29-Jan-2006    
THE SOUTH Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) has come into force with effect from January 1. The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) which consists of seven countries, namely, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, is expected to start implementing SAFTA from June - July this year.
Islamabad may stay out of South Asian Free Trade Area treaty
16-Jan-2006    
Pakistan is likely to stay away from the South Asian Free Trade Area (Safta) to avoid its political fallout on the country's principled stand on Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
South Asia: Burying quarrels for regional free trade
16-Jan-2006     IPS
Will the seven countries of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) be able to sink some of their deep differences over political issues to enhance trade relations?
SAFTA comes into effect; Pak yet to ratify
1-Jan-2006     Economic Times
South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA), paving way for free trade of goods among countries of the region, came into being on Sunday but Pakistan was yet to complete the formality of ratifying it.
Trade under Safta from Jan in doldrums
28-Dec-2005     The News International
With three days left to meet the deadline, the trade under South Asia Free Trade Agreement (Safta) among the Saarc counties from January 1, next year is in doldrums as Sri Lanka says it will ratify Safta draft some time in April next year.
SAFTA to allow direct trade with Pakistan
27-Dec-2005     Indian Express
India and Pakistan will be able to trade directly without the help of third-country destinations once the South Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) comes into force from January 1.
Nepal's preparation still lackluster for fruitful SAFTA
26-Dec-2005     NewsLineNepal
Both government and private sector are showing lackluster preparation for implementing the South Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA), even as the date is approaching for the formal enforcement of the agreement in Nepal.