The economic and trade engagement between India and Pakistan is ready to take off in a big way notwithstanding the decision of the Pakistan Cabinet to defer the pruning of the ‘negative list.' The popular sentiment in Pakistan is for opening up of borders to promote peace.
An overwhelming majority of the chambers of commerce and industry of various cities and township have conveyed to the Pakistan Government that it is time to put in place a liberal trade regime, which is backed not only by the trading community but also by the people and corporate houses.
The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry are understood to have submitted representations to the government, suggesting that the issue of pruning the ‘negative list' should not be allowed to cast a shadow over the attempts to put in place a solid foundation for a long-lasting trading regime between the two nations.
“We are in the business of petrochemicals and have been trading with India through third countries. Indian Oil Corporation has been doing business with us and we have been happy.
There is a demand for 30,000 million tonnes a month of petrochemicals from Pakistan and this could easily touch 70,000-80,000 tonnes if we are allowed to trade through the Wagah border,'' Mian Nasser Hyatt Maggo of Al-riaz Agencies told The Hindu .
Mr. Maggo is of the view that it is time that the focus must be shifted towards direct trade between the two countries. “India also needs to work towards putting in place a liberal regime and facilitating transaction of trade and people at the Wagah border.,'' he remarked.
Another businessman in Lahore, Farrukh Siddiqui, said India and Pakistan had to open up their borders for trade.
“We have common interests and common agenda in many sectors. Why should we allow a third country to take advantage of the volatile situation and exploit our sentiments? We should become the big economic powers of Asia,'' he added.
The chambers of commerce and industry in Lahore and Karachi are pushing for pruning of the ‘negative list' in the areas where there is no disagreement/differences. Their viewpoint is that at least a beginning should be made and the rest will follow.
