Pak ready to import diesel, ATF from India at 'right' price

New Delhi, Oct 17:

on Oct 16 said it is willing to import

and jet fuel from

if the fuel is offered a "right price", but did not say if it will lift ban on movement of fuel from across the border.

"We need to know the price...… if good price is given, why not," visiting Pakistan'’s Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Asim Hussain said on the sidelines of the Petrotech 2012 Conference here. "If right prices are given, we have no problems importing."

While Pakistan has removed fuel imports from its list of items that are not allowed to be imported from India, it allows import of diesel and jet fuel only in ships.

India, which has refineries across the border, are keen to take the road route to reach the fuel-deficient Pakistan.

"I think a way could be found as import of products is not banned as such," the Minister said.

He said a team of Hindustan Petroleum Corp Ltd officials will soon visit Pakistan to discuss prices. Pakistan has during recent times liberalised its trade with India. This year, it changed the structure of the list of items that can be traded between the two countries.

Earlier, there was a 'positive list' that listed items that could be traded. This restricted trade to only some items. Now, it has moved a new 'negative list' which specifically identifies productions that cannot be traded, leaving room open for many more items to be traded.

Islamabad has also in-principle agreed to grant India the 'most favoured nation' status over 15 years after it was given the same status by India.

PTI