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Leading businessmen from India and Pakistan on Monday called for closer commercial ties between the two countries and said commerce could well turn out to the harbinger of peace in the Subcontinent.
Speaking at the 'Aman Ki Asha Indo-Pak Business Meet, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industries, the Times of India and Pakistan's Jang group of newspapers, speakers said the two estranged neighbours have a lot to offer each other in diverse sectors like textiles, food and power.
"A trade initiative will be the catalyst to bring full- fledged peace between the two countries," Bharti Enterprises vice-chairman Rajan Bharti Mittal said on the occasion. Calling for opening up of full commercial relations between the neighbours, he said relaxation of trade via the Wagah border could be a precursor to it.
"If we can open up Wagah, the our Northern states can export through the Karachi Port, which will reduce transportation period," Mittal said.
According to him, using the Karachi Port is logistically more sound because it would require lesser time to send exports through it vis-à-vis the Mumbai Port.
"And when the trucks come back from Karachi, they will have something to bring with them," he added. Concurring with Mittal's view, Pakistani businessman Afaq Tiwana said the two countries could offer expertise to each other in food and textiles.
"We have a lot in common, including our huge pool of young manpower, the two countries can learn and teach from each other," Tiwana, who is chairman of Agrimall said. Speaking during the summit, former governor of State Bank of Pakistan Ishrat Hussain said India's expertise in fields like industry and IT could be used by Pakistan.
"Issues like sharing of river waters and some other points remain unresolved. But at the same time, sharing a common heritage, the two nations can resolve their differences," Hussain said.