India and Pakistan are slowly making progress in building a trustworthy relationship by liberalising trade policies. About fifty Indian entrepreneur displayed their products and services in Lahore Exhibition Centre from February 11-13, which was visited by a large number of people. It was a first time for the trade show when it hosted Indian companies. It was also the first time that the Indian Commerce Minister Anand Sharma visited Pakistan along with 120 Indian businessmen.
Pakistani businessmen are supporting the government in normalising bilateral trade between the two countries, although India has not still allowed some Pakistani products to be exported to India due to non tariff barriers by India. For example, India is not allowing the free export of cement although India needs it to meet the rising demand of cement.
Majority of the people in both countries want peace. Free trade between the two countries will not only reduce the tension on their borders but it will also enable Pakistan Army to concentrate in tackling the internal security issues. It is time that both countries forgot and forgave their past and moved their attention towards poverty and illiteracy which are prevailing in both countries. Millions of people are living below poverty line in Pakistan and India deprived of quality health care and education.
Pakistan is in dire need of direct investment to overcome energy crisis, unemployment and increase its per capita income. We should allow direct investment from Indian investors, who have already made huge investment in other countries. It will be in the interest of Pakistan to allow Indian investors to invest in infrastructure, energy sector and in real estate.
In today’s global world, the security of any country does not depend on its defence capability and on the number of nukes it possess but it depends on its per capita income of its citizens. Huge pile of nukes was not able to protect Soviet Union from disintegration. It is the living standard of country’s citizens which ensures its security and future. Pakistan is blessed with hardworking people and tremendous natural resources. What we need to do is to harness them by having friendly relationship with neighbouring countries on mutually beneficial basis.
It is time to change our foreign policy and security policy doctrine. Past policies have failed miserably to protect our national interests. It is time to close the chapter of past history move on. It is time to think and plan for the future. If we want to become a role model Islamic welfare state, we have to follow some good and log term policies.
S T HUSSAIN
Lahore
