The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Wednesday, May 14, 2003, Chandigarh, India

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Pak MPs suggest joint patrol

Mumbai, May 13
A visiting Pakistani parliamentary delegation today mooted the idea of joint patrols at the Indo-Pak border to tackle cross-border terrorism and suggested a set-up on the lines of EU a union between India, Pakistan and Bangladesh to develop trade.

“Time has come to address the issue of cross-border terrorism face to face. Our point is there is no such thing but India says there is. So we should have joint patrolling from both sides or establish a neutral body, which India and Pakistan can trust to oversee the issue”, leader of the delegation Saleem Jan Mazari said at an interactive session organised by Indian Merchants’ Chamber here.

Stressing that the delegation was on an unofficial visit to India with an aim to drive home the message of peace, love and friendship, he said both governments have been seeking a peaceful solution to the Kashmir issue but “they have not specified it.”

Mr Mazari, however, said the issues which could not be solved overnight should be kept in abeyance.

Mr Mazari said the delegation would convey the feelings of Indians to the government back home and in future delegations on education, medical and technological facilities could also be exchanged.

“By coming here we have taken the first step and would like a similar gesture from India”, he added.

Indian Merchants’ Chamber vice-president Nanik Rupani said there was a need to create a climate conducive to trade.

KOLKATA: Business should be delinked from politics, visiting Members of Parliament from Pakistan said on Tuesday.

Economic consolidation and friendship could be organised through proper initiative in areas where the two nations had interest, they said while addressing a meeting with members of the Indian Chamber of Commerce here. PTI, UNI

Pak ready to resume trade ties

Goods trains stranded at Attari railway station since the snapping of rail link between India and Pakistan after the attack on Indian Parliament. Goods worth crores has been spoiled lying in the bogies.
— photo Rajiv Sharma

Islamabad, May 13
In a significant turnaround, Pakistan has said it is ready to resume trade relation with India on bilateral level as well as under the SAARC umbrella as soon as dialogue between the two countries begins.

"The programme in this connection has not yet been finalised, however, as soon as dialogue between the two countries starts, we are ready to do trade with India," Pakistan’s Commerce and Trade Minister Humayun Akhtar told BBC Radio in an interview yesterday.

Until a few weeks ago Islamabad had linked the resumption of trade to progress of talks on the Kashmir issue.

Akhtar is known for his hard-line stance and ever since he took charge of Commerce Ministry last year he had ruled out most favoured nation (MFN) status to India and any other trade concessions under SAARC until India resumed talks with Pakistan on the Kashmir issue.

There were also reports that he even ruled out a recommendation by the Pakistan Foreign Ministry to grant the tariff concessions on 78 items of trade to India under SAPTA as recommended by the SAARC officials meet earlier.

Apparently, Akhtar’s change of mind was brought about by the fresh scenario following the offer of a hand of friendship by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee last month.

Encouraged by Akhtar’s comments, a group of Pakistani businessmen led by co-president of India-Pakistan Chamber of Commerce Ilyas Ahmad Bilour, are planning a visit to India next month to firm up the broken links between trade bodies of both countries. PTI