Upgraded Wagah check-post opens,to boost trade,ties

I feel all trade barriers between India and Pakistan should be disbanded.

Terming trade as a great driver that could bring India and Pakistan closer to each other,Union Home Minister P Chidambaram,during the inauguration of the Attari Integrated Check Post (ICP) on Baisakhi,said,Trade is a great driving force that brings people together. I feel all trade barriers between India and Pakistan should be disbanded. Soon,I hope India and Pakistan can trade every single item produced in our countries. At present,only 137 commodities are imported by Pakistan through Attari land border.

Underlining the need for relaxed visa regime,Chidambaram said that India had already cleared the new norms while a nod is still awaited from the Pakistani Cabinet. He added visa norms would be relaxed for elderly,children and business community. Pakistan Commerce Minister Mohammad Amin Fahim said that it had been decided,in principal,at the commerce ministry levels of two countries for multiple visa regime for traders. Chidambaram also appealed to Pakistan to allow passenger movement through the new gates. Currently only cargo movement is taking place at the new gates while passengers are crossing over the border through the old gates.

Acknowledging a few teething problems of the ICP,the home minister said,I will visit the ICP again in six to eight weeks and by that time all problems will be solved, he said.

Chidambaram said that the Attari ICP was 10 months behind schedule and that we have learnt lessons from it for future ICPs. India plans to set up 13 ICPs across its border with Pakistan,Nepal and Bangladesh.

Earlier,Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Provincial Assembly of Pakistan Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif dwelt upon the need to have improved ties between the people of India and Pakistan.

Badal said that the ICP would not only enhance economic ties but would also go a long way in improving social and cultural relations between the two countries. He appealed to Pakistan to grant Most Favoured Nation status to India. Khol deo darwaaze,koyee khatra nahi hai (open the doors,there is no danger), said Badal adding that visa regimes should be relaxed to an extent that one can have breakfast in Amritsar and dinner in Lahore.

Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif too said that that war was not the solution,If there has to be a war,let it be war of economic competence and excellence. He added that spending on defence should be reduced to invest on enhancing Indo-Pak relations.

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