‘Business community stands by armed forces’

ISLAMABAD:

All Pakistan Business Forum (APBF) President Maaz Mahmood has urged the international community to play an effective role to stop the violation of human rights in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

He said India’s consistent attempt to escalate the situation along the Line of Control (LoC) was a major hurdle in the way to benefit from the two countries’ bilateral trade potential of $37 billion and prosperity of the subcontinent.

Mahmood, in a written statement issued on Saturday, said the entire business community was fully supporting the Kashmiris in their struggle for independence. “The Kashmir cause is our top priority and the APBF appreciates the nationwide support to the Kashmiri people on this day.”

He also expressed complete solidarity with Pakistan armed forces in their fight for the cause of Kashmir and against terrorists. He said political stability coupled with better law and order was pre-requisite for the strengthening of the national economy and must for the survival of the country.

He said that since Aug 2019, the formal trade between the two countries, estimated at $2 billion through formal channels, had been suspended only because of India.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 7^th, 2021.