Negative sentiments on both sides are the biggest hurdle in the promotion of trade and economic ties between Pakistan and India, which has confined the most favoured nation status, granted by India, to documents only.
These views were expressed by speakers at a conference on “Pak-India Trade: Opportunities and Challenges”, organised by the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry and India-Pakistan Chamber of Commerce on Monday. They emphasised that instead of begging for trade privileges from Europe and US, regional trade should be promoted.
Commerce Secretary Zafar Mehmood said Pakistan enjoyed the status of most favoured nation by India only on papers while actually invisible powers were erecting barriers in trade. Pakistani traders faced difficulties in getting visas while Indian businessmen were engulfed by reservations and doubts, he said. He pointed out that despite these issues, Indian circles were condemning the halt to trade dialogue by India after Mumbai attacks.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 5th, 2011.
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