Acceptance of Singh's invitation: Prime Minister's decision termed goodwill gesture

Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan Sharat Sabharwal Monday termed Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani's acceptance of invitation extended by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to watch the cricket World Cup semi-final match in Mohali as a great goodwill gesture and major diplomatic initiative.
He said that improved relations will trigger pace of development in the two countries which will benefit everyone. He said that this would be an interesting match and an enjoyable game. The major diplomatic initiative will help bring two neighbouring countries together, he said.
Sabharwal said this while speaking to business community at Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), Capital Office, Islamabad. The High Commissioner said that Pakistan has a great potential for development and we should enhance co-operation in various fields.
Traiq Sayeed, Vice President CACCI and former President FPCCI and Saarc CCCI stressed the need to bring people and business communities of both countries together for mutual benefit. He demanded multiple visas for frequent travellers and a special category of visas for augmenting technical co-operation. Sayeed said that a youth conference in India is on the cards in April which will prove a milestone in enhancing bilateral relations.
Earlier in his welcome address, President FPCCI Senator Haji Ghulam Ali highlighted some issues hindering bilateral trade in which visa issue figured prominently and got assurance that all the matters to be revisited. President FPCCI Ghulam Ali also stressed the need to increase the exchange of delegations between Pakistan and India adding that we need enhanced trade to arrest widespread poverty. He also called upon removing trade barriers among the Saarc countries.
Among others, VPs FPCCI Akbar Khan and Fazle-Elahi, Chairman FPCCI Capital Office Hameed Akhtar Chadda, Chairman Co-ordination FPCCI, Capital Office Raza Khan, President ICCI Mahfooz Elahi, former VP, FPCCI Humayun Sayeed, Chairman FPCCI Standing Committee Media and PR Malik Sohail, Commercial Consular Indian Embassy R.K. Sharma and others prominent businessmen were present on the occasion. Some exporters raised quality and technical backup issues on which Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan Sharat Sabharwal assured full co-operation.