The speakers at a seminar on ‘SAARC’s promise amid Indo-Pak thaw’ on Friday said that free trade between Pakistan and India is necessary for not only the countries themselves but also for secure future of region. The seminar was held by South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA). Former foreign minister Khursheed Mahmood Kasuri, discussing milestones achieved during his time, said the disputes between Pakistan and India, including Kashmir, Sir Creek and Siachen were near resolution.
This indicates that both the countries have the potential to resolve issues bilaterally, he said. As Malaysia was benefited by developing free trade with one of its rivals Indonesia, Pakistan would also have benefit from the free trade, he said. Trade ties, people to people contact and media relations would bridge the trust gaps between the two countries, he concluded. SAFMA General Secretary Imtiaz Alam pointed out the importance of building up trade relations between India and Pakistan to materialize the dream of powerful South Asia. He said that it was necessary to go beyond just announcing Most Favored Nation (MFN) status for India and hoped that until February 2012, the Wagah-Atari route would be open for trade.
