The outgoing Indian High Commissioner, Sharat Sabharwal has said that India is committed to reduce the 600 negative items' list to 100 items with a minor tariff of 5 percent. This list of 100 items will also be removed in five years, he added. He also appreciated the Prime Minister of Pakistan for his approach to Pak-India relations and hoped for improvement with initiatives like importing 500MW electricity from India.
Sabharwal was speaking during his farewell call on the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) leadership on Sunday at the APTMA House Lahore. He was welcomed by Central Chairman APTMA Ahsan Bashir, Chairman APTMA Punjab Shahzad Ali Khan and members of Managing Committee.
The Indian High Commissioner said that people of India and Pakistan were looking for economic gains despite ups and downs in mutual relationships. He said that generating employment through co-operation was the top most agenda of the two governments and the textile industry of the two countries can make this dream come true.
He said, "the mutual co-operation is improving fast since last two years and I am visiting APTMA before departing for good to reassure you the continuation of facilities in future," he added. Sabharwal said the two countries have already ironed out the visa issue.
In his address, Chairman APTMA Ahsan Bashir said he was happy over the support and trust extended by the India embassy to APTMA members during the tenure of Sabharwal. Especially, he said, the visa facility has been remarkable.
He expressed the hope that all trade impediments will be removed gradually. He further said both Pakistan and India should avail each others' efficiencies while acknowledging the comparative advantages of each other.
Chairman APTMA Punjab Shahzad Ali Khan hoped that peace and prosperity would go hand in hand in future as well. He appreciated the visa facilities the APTMA members enjoyed during High Commissioner Sabharwal's tenure in the Indian embassy. Amir Fayyaz, Seth Akber and other members of the APTMA Managing Committee also paid their compliments to the Indian High Commissioner on the occasion.