Pakistan Muslim League (Quaid) leader Mushahid Hussain Syed on Saturday said no one in Pakistan including military and mainstream political parties' leadership is against India. He said this while speaking at a seminar: "Trade and Investment - New Dawn in South Asian Integration," on the 27th Anniversary of Saarc organised by Saarc Chamber of Commerce and Industry in partnership with Friedrich-Nauman Foundation.
Mushahid said all the parties should develop a consensus on economy, energy, education and extremism for at least 10 years, adding that the region hosts around 1.65 billion people, which is almost 25 percent of the global population, but the regional share in global trade is only 1.5 percent. PML-Q leader said the 21st century is the century of Asia, adding that Saarc countries have enormous economic potential.
Mushahid stressed the need for co-operation among regional countries for restoring peace and stability in Afghanistan. He said Pakistan and India having the lead role in the region should play positive role in maintaining peace and stability in South Asia. On a query, he said that at present Chief Justice of Pakistan is the most powerful figure in the country, followed by vibrant media, army and other institutions. He said that India should provide long-term visas to the Pakistanis and there is dire need to end mistrust among the two regional powers.
Mushahid said the 21st century is the 'Asian Century' in which we will witness the dominance of Asian politics, business and culture, which calls for governments and private sector to play their due role. Secretary General Saarc Chamber of Commerce and Industry Iqbal Tabish said that we believe free movement of businesspersons is crucial but the visa policy is not very business friendly.