ISLAMABAD: Minister for Commerce Makhdoom Amin Fahim Wednesday said that Pakistan is exploring free markets and is negotiating with various countries in this regard.

He said that while talking to the Foreign Minister of Maldives, Dr. Ahmad Shaheed and High Commissioner of Maldives in Islamabad, Dr. Shehnaz Adam who called on the minister in his chamber today.

Senior Joint Secretary Foreign Trade Himayatullah Khan was also present in the meeting.

The federal minister said, “Our objective is trade rather than aid.” They also discussed progress on SAFTA (South Asian Free Trade Agreement).

Makhdoom also told them, “We should sit together and find ways to move forward.” He also suggested that the Maldivian government could take help from Pakistan in their privatization process.

On this occasion, the meeting also discussed the Connectivity Programme in South Asia.

They observed that this would create economic opportunities in the region, besides promoting trade relations.

Fresh fruits and vegetables could easily be transported from one region to the other.