The High Commissioner of India, Sharat Sabharwal, has informed business community that interior ministries of India and Pakistan are working on visa liberalisation, and expressed hope that an agreement would be signed in the next few months. Speaking at a meeting of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on Saturday, he said that at present the High Commission is issuing visa under 1974 agreement, and is following the conditions laid down in the agreement.
He pointed out that the Indo Pak commerce ministers in their recent meeting had agreed to increase two-way trades and, as a first step, efforts would be made to increase it from 2.7 billion dollars to 6 billion dollars. The High Commissioner said that huge potential exists to boost two-way trade. Referring to non-tariff barriers, he said that the government of Pakistan has given a list of non-tariff barriers, which is under discussion.
He said that in the commerce ministers meeting several decisions were made including opening of bank branches, removal of trade barriers, opening land routes, etc. The High Commissioner said that Commerce Secretary level meeting is scheduled to be held this month to discuss and devise mechanism for implementation of decisions. Sabharwal appreciated the decision of Pakistan's Cabinet to approve 'most favoured nation' (MFN) status for India and expressed hope that Pakistan assembly would also endorse the decision soon.
He said that deliberations are underway to improve infrastructure of land routes and open trade from Munabao-Khokrapar border. Regarding existing controversy on granting MFN status to India, he declined to make any comment, saying that "it is internal matter of Pakistan".
About water dispute, Sharat said that Indus Water Treaty exists on distribution of water between India and Pakistan, and added that the Treaty also provides mechanism to resolve disputes. He said that Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has the vision to transform South Asia with the co-operation of neighbouring countries, including Pakistan, and that the region should move from poverty to prosperity and from ignorance to a knowledgeable society.
Leader of businessmen group Siraj Kassim Teli expressed hope that Pakistan would be in a better position if trade was liberalised between the two countries. He said that business communities of both countries have high hopes and enthusiasm to improve trade. Chairman of Sindh Board of Investment (SBI), Zubair Motiwala, highlighted potential investment opportunities in Sindh. A former president of KCCI, Tahir Khaliq, emphasised the need of re-opening of Indian consulate in Karachi.
Another former president of KCCI, Majid Aziz urged the Indian government to remove 15 percent duty imposed on import of cement from Pakistan.President of KCCI Abrar Ahmed said that in the light of General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), which has now been replaced by WTO, both countries have to accord MFN status to each other. He said it is a misconception that opening up trade with India would bring net loss to Pakistan. The win-win situation needs to be created to explore untapped potential, which is enormous, and estimated at around 10 billion dollars.