The clumsy manner in which Pakistan announced that it would grant the trade status of Most Favored Nation (MFN) to India indicates the political significance of this decision. Two days after the official announcement, other government spokespeople tempered this message, explaining that the cabinet had simply approved the process of "normalization" of India-Pakistan trade relations, which included granting MFN status. Huma Yusuf, Columnist for Pakistan's Dawn newspaper, discusses why this cautious approach is a reminder that Pakistan's dealings with India remain fraught in spite of recent confidence-building measures.

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