Pak business community supports 'Aman Ki Asha' RAWALPINDI: The business community of Pakistan supports 'Aman ki Asha' because this peace initiative could help resolve several outstanding issues between the two neighbouring countries. India should display seriousness to practically resolve Kashmir and water disputes for trade and economic cooperation between Pakistan and India. Pakistani traders and industrialists want trade ties with India despite some reservations. There are chances of war on the water issue. Improvement in bilateral ties could benefit both the countries, but friendship should not be made at the cost of Kashmir and water. Business people should be given more visa facilities.

These views were expressed by speakers at the Jang Economic Session. The topic was 'The affects of Pak-India Ties on Economy'.

Former Punjab University Vice Chancellor Dr Rafique Ahmed, Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vice President Hamid Akhtar Chadah, former APTMA Punjab zone President Javed Kayani, Rice Export Association Chairman Malik Muhammad Jehangir and former Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman Yawir Irfan expressed their views on the topic. Sikandar Lodhi and Intikhab Tariq were the hosts.

Dr Rafiq said it had been clearly defined in the manifestos of all the leading political parties of India that they did not accept the division of the Sub-continent. "India wants its supremacy in the region; therefore, it is not resolving the water and Kashmir disputes. Politics has strong links to trade as political disputes led to blocking of trade," he added.

Hamid Akhtar said Pakistan's export to India was worth $10 million and import was worth $11 million. He said trade between Pakistan and India would get an impetus if the peace initiative 'Aman Ke Asha' launched by the Jang Group and the Times of India succeeded.

Akbar Sheikh said the obstacles in the way of trade between Pakistan and India should be removed. He said Pakistan's large-scale manufacturing growth was two per cent and that of India 18 per cent.

Javed Kayani said result-oriented talks on the Kashmir dispute must be held. "The EU countries resolved their disputes to strengthen trade. The age of resolving disputes through wars has gone," he added.

Friday, March 19, 2010

Age of innocence

An octogenarian in Mumbai shares fond remembrances of Karachi, a city he loves but may never again see
By Roshanlal Bhatia

The news that India a .....more

Indian Parliamentary delegation in Pakistan for SAARC meet ISLAMABAD: Pakistan today sought the support of SAARC countries in fighting the menace of illegal drugs, that were being used as a "weapon of war", as parliamentary deleg .....more

5,000 Pakistani cricket fans may get visas NEW DELHI: India may issue 4,000-5,000 visas to Pakistani cricket fans for the India-Pakistan series beginning on December 25. Visitors may also be considered for multi-c .....more

Liberalized visa accord with India approved by Pakistan IANS

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has approved a liberalized visa agreement with India that will relax curbs on issuing travel documents to traders, elderly people, touris .....more

Briefs 'Jab Tak Hai Jaan'

Late Indian director Yash Chopra's last directorial venture 'Jab Tak Hai Jaan' looks set to be released in cinemas in Pakistan, despite rumours .....more

A teenager's voice for peace A 15-year old supporter of

Aman ki Asha shares a blog post from the heart

"This directly comes from the core of my heart" writes Alisha Abdullah, about her .....more