In a bid to boost trade and peace, MPs from India and Pakistan have sought a slew of measures, including the introduction of a liberal visa regime, more trade through the Wagah border and resolution of the Siachen and Sir Creek issues.
The call came at the end of the 4 round of India-Pakistan parliamentarians dialogue here on Friday. The Pakistan delegation will go to Patna on Saturday to meet Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. The lawmakers said a road map should be drawn to expand the number of goods that could be traded at Wagah.
The Indian side was represented by senior BJP MP Yashwant Sinha and senior Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar, while the Pakistani delegation was led by Deputy Leader of Senate Sabir Ali Baloch. “The parliamentarians recommend that the two governments accelerate the process of finalisation of trade in energy-related products,’’ a joint statement issued at end of the two-day talks said.
“There is need to explore opportunities for collaboration in facilitating people-to-people contacts in crucial fields such as education, health, local government and media,” they said. The parliamentarians also recommended the immediate release of prisoners who had completed their term, and humanitarian treatment of fisherfolk and others who inadvertently cross into the territory or territorial waters of the other country.
