Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif on Saturday said his party had been pursuing a policy of friendship and cooperation with India. “A policy of amity would be followed to promote peace and prosperity in the region,” said the premier while speaking at a meeting with Pakistan-India Joint Business Council at the PM House.
The PM said it had always been his utmost endeavor to bring people of the two South Asian neighbours close to each other so they could benefit from each other’s experiences.
Expressing satisfaction over the visit of Indian businessmen under the auspices of Pakistan-India Joint Business Council, Sharif said it was reassuring that both sides were sitting together and talking to each other.
The PM told the meeting that he had directed Minister for Water and Power Khawaja Asif to visit India and explore potential areas of cooperation between the two countries.
Sharif told Indian businessmen that his government was following investor-friendly policies. “We are facing acute power shortage in our country and any assistance in the power sector would help us in addressing the issue,” he added.
Indian members of the business council said being located in the same region and facing similar problems, India could be of great help in providing support in the fields of medical science, higher education and technical/vocational training.
The meeting also discussed non-discriminatory market access and agreed that industrialists from both the countries should be provided a level-playing field.
Minister for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Pervez Rashid, Minister for Water and Power Khawaja Asif, Special Assistant to PM Tariq Fatemi and other senior officials attended the meeting.
PM for friendship with India
