./.WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/L/528
4 August 2003
(03-4103)
INTRODUCTION OF HARMONIZED SYSTEM 1996 CHANGES
INTO WTO SCHEDULES OF TARIFF CONCESSIONS
Pakistan – Schedule XV
Decision of 24 July 20031
The General Council,
Considering  that the Members of the WTO, by their Decisions of 13 December 1995,
18 July 1996, 24 April 1997, 24 April 1998, 14 October 1998, 15 June 1999, 4 November 1999,
3 May 2000, 8 December 2000, 8 May 2001 and 13 May 2002 2, acting pursuant to the provisions of
paragraph 3 of Article IX of the WTO Agreement, suspended the application of the provisions of
Article II of GATT 1994 until 30 April 2003, for the purpose of enabling the Members listed in the
Annex to implement the recommended amendments to the Harmonized System nomenclature;
Considering  that by their Decision of 8 May 2001 the Members of the WTO also agreed that
it would be the last time an extension of HS96 waiver would be granted on a collective basis, but that
this would not, however, preclude Members fr om requesting waivers on an individual basis.
Noting  that Pakistan has requested a waiver for reasons explained in its request3;
Considering  that Pakistan would need more time to proceed with consultations or possible
Article XXVIII negotiations;
Acting  pursuant to the provisions of paragraph 3 of Article IX of the WTO Agreement;
Decides , in view of the exceptional circumstances, to suspend the application of the
provisions of Article II of GATT 1994, until 30 April 2004, for the purpose of enabling Pakistan to
implement the recommended amendments to the Ha rmonized System nomenclature, subject to the
following conditions:
(i) Pakistan shall, where necessary, promptly enter into negotiations and consultations
with interested Members pursuant to paragraphs 1-3 of Article XXVIII of
GATT 1994;
(ii) the negotiations and consultations mentioned above shall be completed not later than
30 April 2004;
                                                     
1 Adopted in accordance with the Decision-Making Procedures under Articles IX and XII of the
WTO Agreement agreed by the General Council in November 1995 (WT/L/93).
2 WT/L/124+Corr.1, WT/L/173, WT/L/216, WT/L/243, WT/L/268, WT/L/281, WT/L/303, WT/L/338,
WT/L/351, WT/L/379, WT/L/400 and WT/L/466.
3 G/L/612.WT/L/528
Page 2
(iii) pending the entry into force of the results of the negotiations or consultations
mentioned above, the other Members will be  free, pursuant to Article XXVIII:3, to
suspend concessions initially negotiated with Pakistan to the extent that they consider
that adequate compensation is not offered by Pakistan.
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