Karachi businessmen’s delegation: Narendra Modi invited to visit Pakistan
A delegation from the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industries (KCCI) has invited Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi to visit Pakistan and share the secrets of his successful economic model. However, according to senior officials at the KCCI, the invitation is not in an official capacity.
Impressed by accelerated development in the western Indian state, the delegation called for exploring greater cooperation in trade and industry between Gujarat and Pakistan, a state government statement said.
The statement further mentioned that the delegation invited Modi to visit Pakistan and address the heads of Pakistan’s industries and business on the Gujarat model of development through video-conferences to be arranged by the Karachi chamber.
The delegation was in Gujarat to attend the Asia Colour Chemicals Mega Exhibition, held in Ahmedabad. It took some time off to meet the chief minister at his residence in Gandhinagar and hold detailed discussions.
According to the statement, the delegation was impressed by the state government’s transparent and progressive policies, which are conducive to industrial growth.
Looking at the long association between Gujarat and Sindh, members of the delegation urged Modi to use his office to start a direct flight between Ahmedabad and Karachi. In Karachi, however, senior figures in the KCCI played down the invitation and denied that it had come in an official capacity.
Chairman Businessmen Group (BMG) Siraj Kassam Teli said that “there was no official invite given to any Indian leader from KCCI’s platform. But yes, some of our members in their recent visit to India may have personally invited Narendra Modi to Pakistan.”
Teli’s group has won consecutive elections for more than last 10 years at the KCCI.
“Some of our members were part of a delegation of a chemical association that recently visited Ahmedabad, but the chemical association was not officially representing KCCI,” he added.
Despite being praised for steering Gujarat’s economic success, Modi is a controversial figure. He is perceived as having been deliberately inactive and ignoring riots between Hindus and Muslims in 2002 that led to thousands of Muslim deaths. As a result, he has been denied a visa to the US and UK, with some even accusing him of ‘genocide’. (With additional reporting by Farhan Zaheer in Karachi)
Published in The Express Tribune, December 11th, 2011.
COMMENTS (49)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
1734878987-0/Copy-of-Untitled-(67)1734878987-0-270x192.webp "at least 38 dead over 100 missing after ferry capsizes in dr congo")
@Bilal M F: @punjabi zubaan:
well explained
@Bangladeshi: dude ,dont let ur prejudices against india inform ur comments,he's not the true face of indian democracy,far from it,the guy wasnt allowed to campaign for bjp in bihar due to other learders not wanting him there,its like me saying that zia ul haq is the true face of pakistan.i hate modi as much as anybody else but u cant deny he has changed alot of lives for the better(including muslims).
@F K: Failing to act is not participation in genocide. I am not defending Modi and am not a great fan either. But in all fairness, legal system demands evidence without which Modi's lawyer will make sure he goes free untainted. Since Godhra incident and I seriously grieve the loses of life, there is no concrete evidence against Modi but a cumulative sentiment that he failed to act. His crime is until now that as a CM of Gujarat he failed to protect his subject irrespective of their religious beliefs. It is certainly not until this point a genocide as many have suggested here. It cannot be compared to what happened in 1971 to Bangladesh or any genocide incidents in world. Condi Rice made the decision just to appease American Muslims and avoid any communal conflict or incident in USA. She had made such impulsive calls before if you look at her record. She is a very opinionated woman. Her not inviting Modi is a political statement and does not reflect national feeling of USA on this topic. I know so cause I am living in USA and I teach in Premier Business School (enough for a hint ) where Modi and Gujarat and IIM-A is a part of almost daily discussion.
Can one of the Modi supporters on this forum who is justifying genocide please explain how a train being burnt by one group of people (there have been reports in India saying it was burnt by arsonists and others saying that it was an accidental fire caused by the portable stoves in the train) justifies the massacre of another group of people? Some comments here saying that the rape and murder of women and children in Gujrat was justified are incredible. Over 2,000 civilians were killed in Gujrat under this man's watch and people are saying these civilians deserved it. I was never a fan of Condi Rice but I really respected that she personally intervened to stop Modi from coming to the US. Whether you are Indian or Pakistan or American or anything, when a human being attempts to justify a targetted assault on civilians, it really is the lowest of the low. And since so many Modi supporters here are interested in moral equivalencies for some reason, the same applies to what happened in Bangaldesh in 1971. I do believe in law and order above everything else. Modi should be tried in court, every Pakistani general involved in abuses in 1971 should be tried in court etc etc. Genocide is beyond religion and nationalism. Please let us not defend these types of people or this type of behavior.
@Pinto:
Search on ‘burning alive in Pakistan’ and you'll find.
Haha - what happened? Salman Rushdie or Raymond Davis were busy that KCCI had to invite the third most favourite personality of the Pakistan population? This is hilarious!!!
If giving him visa is an issue, he can fly-in in a NATO helicopter. I understand those are exempt from Visa requirements.
Also after Shamsi airbase which other airbases are not in NATO / US control? Maybe the flight can land there.
And no hotel booking required, there are places in Abbotabad i hear where people can stay and no one becomes aware.... haha!!!
This is priceless!!!
@Khalid
"This person is not even allowed to visit USA, US has not issued him visa due to his involvement in Gujrat riots;"
But Mr Modi has just made a trip to China (the all weather friend) recently and the Chinese has showed interest in investing in Gujrat.Apparently Chinese didn't bother much about his communal politics while exploring economic opportunities.
While USA (the much maligned capitalist) has, at least stood on the right side of the moral/ethical equation.
@Phajja Gandasay Wala:
1) Funny that you were keeping Mushy responsible for Kargil and thousands of people killed as your president for a decade and were sitting quite! 2) 'Your legal system is incompetent.' - Do you mean Pakistan's legal system is actually existent!! Did not seem like that with Salman Taseer murder when lawyers were out supporting the man who murdered him and that your chief justice could be arrested by the Mushy regime. I have not even spoken about Taliban, other extremists and the Taliban system of justice and what is happening to Pashtuns and Baluchis...
@shafi Ahmed(Deccan): are you new species which are separate from other human beings? why you don't want all human happy? if you don't want others happy, then how will you? go Gujarat and see things than staying n "Deccan".
listening to d comments,partition was absolutely correct...!i dont like pakistanis much,but i want them 2 b happy as they r muslims(at least they have chance to b happy unlike v indian muslims)
@Pinto: coz we do not have such exaggerated and or any hatred teaching system in India, many of we/others don't know whats really happening to the minorities in pakistan.
Salutations to the next PM of Republic of India.
Mr.Modi constantly hitting the headlines for good reasons, Pakistan's all weather friend China also hold him with high esteem as there are some very good business dealings going on between them. Even the US which has refused to him visa till now, has praised him for the achievements he made in the Gujarat. According 'the economist' Gujarat state alone surpassed the China in terms of growth, infrastructure, business opportunities, etc. Those Pakistani friends whining about Modi, can you finger point any leader from Pakistan achieving 1/10th of what Mr.Modi achieved ? Mr.Narendra Modi, CEO, India Incorporation !!!
@Pinto: Hint: It is not Godhra (India).
Narendra Modi zindabad... Congress made dirty politics by baseless allegations on Modi since they got defeated very badly in elections. supreme court also slapped congress for Nanavati comission which was wrongly used to convict innocent Narendra Modi.
Now we can see in Media US/UK/China are praising Modi. US already regretted for not granting Visa.
One day congress will also regret for wrong allegations made by them.
@kulamarva Balakrishna :
Are you one of those bleeding heart pseudo seculars whose eyes refuse to see and brain refuse to register the gruesome burning of 59 Hindu pilgrims mostly women and children alive by the Muslim mob in Godhra ?
To anyone who is arguing that Modi should not be invited to Pakistan, I would like to ask if they think Pakistani politicians should visit India or any other christian country because under their watch, churches and temples have been burnt, christians and hindus have been forcefully converted and above all, have been rampantly killed.
If you want to take statistical route, we can compare minority status in Sindh vs. Gujarat in terms of religious freedom, number of temples/churches/mosques, forced conversations, education level and income of minority community, legal cases and prosecution of majority involved in minority harrassment and see who trumps.
On last note, unlike Modi in India is there a single high level politician in Pakistan who has been prosecuted for his role in anti minority violence? Even single politician, anyone?
US didn't give him a visa, It will be interesting to see what happens when and if he becomes the PM.
Listen my Pakistani friends, I am an Indian businessman and I have traveled throughout the length and breadth of my country. I would like to tell you this, if ever I get an opportunity, I would like to take, a Modi hating friend of mine from Pakistan, to the different states of India. But, first I would blindfold him before taking him to Jharkhand, in east India and once arrived at the destination, his eyes would be uncovered and he could see India. However, I would cover his eyes again and then take him to the Gujarat, the land of Modi. Once there and his eyes uncovered, I would like see his reaction. I would bet on my life that my Pak friend would simply refuse to believe that he was in the same country!! The moral of the story is, Mr. Modi is not winning election after election just by killing Muslims, it is virtually impossible to win so many elections, particularly, in a an highly educated state, bereft of any caste politics, unlike some of the northern states. His dynamic leadership has turned this relatively arid state into an hub of industrial activity. When Mamta Banerjee drove TATA Nano out of Bengal, Modi offered them not only free land to relocate, but also, offered to bear the transportation expenses as well, a move which brought thousands of jobs to the state. That is what Modi is and I appreciate the Karachi traders for being realistic and rational. In spite of his alleged failings on issues such as communalism, I would really like to see him as the next Prime Minister of India.
@Umer: what is Gojra ? I've never heard this word before
I'm usually all for the improving relationships with India in all manners, unlike the hypocritical anti-Indian obsessed Pakistanis who simply need an excuse to continue hate and regression compounded by deluded conspiracies and self-victimization.
However, on this, I must comment that it's a rather horrible choice by KCCI. A historic economic engine, Gujarat would have seen it's economic upward swing and migration even without Modi at the helm, due to their own talent and business friendly attraction. Of all the successful Indians from Gujarat, even from government, they chose Modi? Sad and unfortunate choice.
A recent article from Aditya Sinha who also touches on the hype of Modi's hand in Gujarat's economic rise, among many other obvious problems.
http://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/columnwhy-narendra-modi-will-never-become-pm1611678
This person is not even allowed to visit USA, US has not issued him visa due to his involvement in Gujrat riots; I am shocked to see in-sensitiveness shown by few people at KCCI.
Can't wait to see Hafiz Saeed and Narendra Modi having lunch together.
@Hu Jintao:
Who are Liberal-Fascists, can you give some examples? I have never really understood this term except that religious extremists use it in frustration on their failure to bomb people into submission.
I don’t see how anything can be worst than extreme right wingers who have committed every crime under the sun against innocent human beings.
@Bangladeshi: Why don't you first start by taking the Pakistanis to the Hague for their atrocities on your own people in 1971?
Our another states chief minister should learn from Modi instead always hit him hard on communal riots. He sets an example, how state can be developed with same rules, official, and infrastructure, even his strongest rival praise him. Its surprise for Congress, their leaders may find that RSS involved in this.
@Bangladeshi:
Why is he a criminal? What has he done which your Jamaat Islami hasn't done in both Pakistan and Bengladesh?
@abrar:
I don't understand. Are you similarly disgusted at Gojra and Shanti Nagar incidents which occurred in N Legue’s government? Do you hate Shehbaz Sharif as much? If not then what's the point? Also remember, unlike Gojra, the Gujrat riots were started by Muslims by burning Hindus in the first place so they need to take at least some blame for it.
N. Modi is not a murderer. Stop the slander against him. The people who burnt the train in Gujarat were taught a lesson. They got what they deserved.
I simply love it! To Pakistanis: Get used to Narendra Modi. There is every probability that you will have to deal with him as India's PM!
pakistan GDP=$174.8 billion gujarat GDP=$400 billion.
but why should pakistanis complain when they hold hafiz saeed in such high esteem.
If we want economic revival than Modi should be made PM of Pakistan for three terms otherwise we will continue to go down the drain! But not even thousand years, we will be bothered about economy instead will be discussing non issues like NRO, Memogate, Zardari health, etc. People have no jobs, high inflation, low growth, etc but none are talking about these issues instead want to fight with NATO.
KCCI gone mad .......... strange
Vienna,December 11,2011 I do not understand "Nirvana" describing Hindu hooligans as haj pilgrims damn it. Do pilgrims dig up places of worship? You tell me the absuer of Buddha´s title. Taravadu Taranga Trust for Media Monitoring TTTMM India --Kulamarva Balakrishna
Shameless n Disgusting r the words to say d least..anyways these pakistanis r never friends of anybody..they themselves r not friendly with eachother forget about indian muslims....im not at all surprised...afterall they invited the then HM Advani...pakistanis can change colour easily..sorry if i offend anyone but its truth...
population of Hindus has decreased drastically in pakistan banglsdaesh kashmir,all three muslim majority,where as muslim population has been incresing faster than hindu population in India...now coming to 2002, muslims burned a train with hindu pilgrims....which resulted in riots and in 2011 muslims in Gujarat are economically and educaion wise better placed than rest of the India.....still muslims cry, its sear hypocraccy
Worst face of capitalists; money matters irrespective of the costs.
Vienna,December 11,2011 Tel meaning oil is falicitator for smooth running of the iron wheel of Narendra Modi government! Teli therefore is in the right place.Gujarat´s progress can not be compared to that of any South Indian state in India. Gujaratis however are mob masters that cause even earth quakes. Does daily tremour fame Karachi need to import a mob master from India? If Pakistan plans to give him refuge I am sure the whole of India would be only happy and would feel obliged. Taravadu Taranga Trust for Media Monitoring TTTMM India --Kulamarva Balakrishna
Now it is for sure China hand.
I could not let this one go without posting my disgust over this shameless act of inviting the "butcher" of Gujrat to Pakistan.Many people of Gujrati community in Karachi must have relatives in Gujrat whjo suffered under brutal attacks by Goons protected by the goverment machinery of that state..This person has several cases against him.
This delegation did did a huge diservice for cause of human rights and justice and should be reprimanded by the cities chamber of commerce why the silence from the goverment?.Doing business with accused criminals is an offence by itself.