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Top Pakistani diplomats have supported trade with India through rail and road networks besides backing the petroleum and gas pipeline links and said the country could achieve most of its economic objectives through it.
Addressing a seminar on 'Global Economic Challenges: The Role of the Foreign Office' on Sunday, Pakistan's permanent representative to the United Nations Munir Akram said, Pakistan could become the hub of international trade if it allows rail and road transit trade with India.
"It is a critical decision whether to allow transit trade through rail or road and to allow India's gas or oil pipelines to pass through Pakistan. If we do so, we will become a hub of international trade as the key for the western world would be our relations with India," he said.
Maleeha Lodi, Pakistan's Ambassador designate to United Kingdom, said further benefits can be achieved by encouraging export-oriented trade, improving literacy and ensuring less government interference in business activities.
Ashraf Jehangir Qazi from Washington observed that no economic objectives could be achieved if the confrontation with India continued. "Security concerns are very important but there is a need to balance them for foreign policy objectives," he said.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Riaz Khokhar responded to the concerns of trade relations with India by alleging that India had the most restricted trade regime in the world. "We should not have illusions. We would set modalities for trade with India when SAFTA (South Asian Free Trade Area) talks are held two or three weeks from now," he said.