By Moonis Ahmed
The Indian envoy, who has specially flown to Karachi to attend a luncheon meeting hosted by FPCCI in his honour, said that the ICCP would be fully computerised and equipped with most modern facilities after which the trade between India and Pakistan would flourish and traders from both the countries would be able to ship their consignments rapidly.
Sabharwal said that there is a trade potential of $10 billion between the two neighbouring countries and it could easily be materialised if done through official channels.
"Trade is the only way to eliminate the poverty from the region and elevate at least 350 million people living in absolute poverty in the South Asian region," said the Indian envoy and added that if India can grow its trade with China to $55 billion in just a brief period then why not with Pakistan. He agreed to the suggestion to open up the land route of trade between the two countries via Tharparkar-Munabao but he said that it depends on nods by both the governments. He said that he realises the visa problems being faced by the business community but the restrictions and regulations are common for all and not just for Pakistan or Bangladesh. He explained that all trading partners are being treated equally.
He informed that Indian High Commission in Islamabad had issued 95,000 visas before Mumbai incident but this number of visas declined later. He however, hoped that the same number of visas would be issued this year as well. He mentioned that India is issuing more visas than Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi.
Regarding opening up of Indian Consulate in Karachi he said that Indian government had accepted this demand and had renovated its consulate building few years back but it requires Pakistan government's approval.
He appreciated the idea of creating SAARC Shipping Line owned by SAARC countries and said that this proposal would be passed on to the quarters concerned. Indian envoy has assured the Pakistan-India Chamber of Commerce and Industry President S M Muneer that reciprocal visit of Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) delegation is due and he would approach FICCI officials to materialise it soon.
Regarding issuance of five-year multiple visas to 500 businessmen of SAARC Chamber, he said that he would refer this proposal to SAARC secretariat.
To a query he categorically denied that India is stealing Pakistan's water or creating hurdles in free flowing of Pakistan's water. He said that water resources are depleting but population in the region is increasing and there is a dire need of strengthening water storage. "India's capacity of water storage is low but Pakistan's capacity of water storage is even worse. Water availability in monsoon is greater and we should preserve it," Sabharwal said.
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