ISLAMABAD: Trade is the best option to build confidence, improve relations and create new opportunities to uplift people from extreme poverty. Pakistan and India should therefore work for ensuring uninterrupted bilateral trade which will help in strengthening their economies and promoting regional integration in South Asia.
This was the consensus opinion of some prominent business leaders of the country including S M Munir, President of the Indo-Pak Chamber of Commerce, Sultan Ahmed Chawla, President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry, Iftikhar Ali Malik, Vice-President of the SAARC Chamber of Commerce, Muhammad Mansha Churra, Hameed Akhtar Chadda and many others during a meeting at the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ICCI) on Monday.
Munir emphasised the need for a no-war pact between India and Pakistan to create an atmosphere of trust and confidence for businessmen and the people at large. He said both countries cannot afford war as it will take them to the stone age.
Therefore, they should focus on promoting trade and economic relations to create new hopes and a better future for their people. He said the government can easily come out of the IMF trap by promoting remittances through regular channels. He said if better incentives are offered, remittances could go up to $18 billion per annum.
Chawla said India should fully reciprocate all efforts of Pakistan to improve relations as Pakistan cannot promote trade unilaterally. He said national interest should be kept supreme in relations with other countries.
Iftikhar Malik said negotiations should be preferred to confrontation to solve all problems between the two countries. He said India should not use water as a tool to damage Pakistan which is vital for sustainable growth of its agriculture and industry.
He said trade is the optimum tool to bring improvement in the lives of 420 million people who are currently living below the poverty level in India and Pakistan. Zahid Maqbool, ICCI President, stressed the need for assigning leading role to the private sectors of both the countries to exploit untapped business potential and complement each other’s economy. He said SAFTA should be implemented in true letter and in spirit for providing its full benefits to the people of South Asia.
