Trade with India: Zardari hints at opening Sulemanki border
The president said that he is also examining the possibility of connecting Multan with India.
“A politician’s last weapon is dialogue. If you’re not talking today, it doesn’t mean you won’t have to talk tomorrow,” he remarked.
After offering a prayer for the soldiers buried in Siachen, the president questioned the possibility of a unilateral withdrawal of troops from the “world’s highest battlefield”.
“How can there be a unilateral withdrawal? Have we been sitting for 10 years doing nothing? Yes, our soldiers are being sacrificed but we are a nation who makes sacrifices.”
Hitting back at PML-N
Boasting his dissemination of power to the parliament and provinces, Zardari criticised Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif for “accumulating” 17 ministries to himself. “This is the difference between Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and other parties… How can one person handle 17 ministries?”
He added, “I had power, I could break down the parliament, but I diluted it in every form and distributed it.”
“What these parties do not understand is reconciliation. If you cannot reconcile with other parties, how can you have good relations with other countries when you’re in power?” he further questioned.
COMMENTS (27)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
1731975305-0/Untitled-design-(40)1731975305-0-165x106.webp "article")
1731975060-0/Untitled-design-(39)1731975060-0-165x106.webp "article")
1731929357-0/Express-Tribune-(6)1731929357-0-270x192.webp "punjab govt announces guidelines for school reopening")
A very good idea. GATT allows liberal rules for border trade.. The towns across the border would benefit greatly from exchange of local produce particularly food products.Pakpattan would be a good point for trading. Lot of Sikh yatris could come over. They are devotees of Baba Farid
@Fatima: "if Yes then why doesnt the same laboratory approval policy with Chinese Textiles ??" Because Pakistan comes with its own baggage. Never compare. Comparisons are always odious. You can compare two entities only if they are nearly similar. Are Pakistan and China similar by any standard?
Khokhropar is the historic trade route. It has been closed since 1965 war. It should also be opened for trade. Pakistan should open trade on its entire border with all neighboring countries after every 100 kms. Free trade would close doors to wars and open doors to peace and prosperity.
India asked for laboratiry tests of each colour of textile from an Indian Laborator, on top of 27.5% duty, you think they are actually open heartedly welcoming Pakistani Textiles ? if Yes then why doesnt the same laboratory approval policy with Chinese Textiles ??
@UKMUSLIM Does zardari has such wisdom? sorry dear he is not competent enough. PPP does not have the ability to do all such things.
@WoW: You said it like it is! Thanks for that. Pakistanis cry against the price hike every day but when it comes to making a real longterm change, the vested interest resists. Of course these rich and powerful would not be able to make extra money and fix prices when there is open and free market. It would bring the quality up and prices down. Regards, Mirza
@Asadullah Qazi: And what is your solution? Virulent hatred and enmity for another 63 years? What kind of a solution is that to anything? And what gives you the right to speak for all Pakistanis? It is easy to preach hatred and a 100 years war on a full stomach. We want peace with India and prosperity for Pakistan, InshaAllah.
@Zardari: Pakistan has been for years buying Indian goods through Dubai. Now just cut the middlemen and the extra sea freight. This is the saving in the pockets of Paki. I leave the calculations to you.
At a minimum it would provide everyday commodities at a low rate to poor citizens. They could use the savings in other areas to improve their lives. Free trade is going to reduce corruption as every country goes through this phase. The economic engine would push and pull us out of our bad habits. Who is going to continue to buy defective or expensive goods if they have a choice? No wonder the prophets of loot are feeling the heat because they would have open markets and competition.
Please do this
Unless government subsidies are given to the struggling Pakistani industrial and textile sectors. All we will do is import cheap Indian goods, and since the government doesn't have money for subsidies to counteract India's influx of goods into Pakistan, this will lead to a trade deficit and further damage Pakistan's economy! So at best it's a useless move from Zardari
Trade is the prime reason of all human development since the beginning of time. Trade is a great educator, a great incentive for development, for new strides for in technology and basis of all global or National Power. Therefore only ignorant would oppose the opening of trade particularly in a country which is suffering from ignorance, educational, social and economic backwardness and under-development and poverty.
The Government should open and connect adequately as many international gates as it is feasible and possible at, near Sialkot, near Ganda Singhwala, near Minchinabad, near Khokharapar, in the northern area and Kashmir, so that there is free flow of trade of goods and services for the full benefit of people of Pakistan and beyond.
@Raheem Bukhsh through technology transfer, collaborations, partnerships. these are all business norms. learn the new ways of doing business in today's world. win-win situation for every party.
What is point of having trade agreements with India when our industry is on the verge of a collapse? It ll just make Pakistan a market for Indian goods. Mr President we are not interested in such trade agreements when our own industry is being destroyed by you. Such agreements cant hide your incompetency, corruption and shortsightedness. PPP in post ZAB era has always brought curse to Pakistan, just this time they got 5 years means more destruction. India is planning you to make desert by 2015.
@Asadullah Qazi: have you read history or not. It was pakistan who started all the wars against India. Read Air Marshal (R) Asghar Khan report on it.
A good move. Zardari should be given credit for some positive developments in the country despite all odds. Of-course, "Memogate" brigade is going to find some conspiracy theory behind it. Well done democracy, well-done Zardari
So strange . . .All of a sudden he is swinging doors open to India. Yes, very much eyebrow raising!! . . .Worth the scrutiny!
@Salman Raza: No way, trade with the ENEMY will never be beneficial to us,Its just like hitting below the belt of Pakistan, for God sake, condemn these trade policies with the country who always broke into war and ill treated the treaties, don't you know about the '''safe-water from Pakistan''' plan, don't you know about the 170 dams built in Kashmir, don't you know the treatment of Kashmiris by their Army,, Understand As A PAKISTANI! and Not as an individual looking for his own interests.;
I dont understand, how india became so trustworthy in just couple of days. Aren't we be cautious every step we take. I am not against the trade with india but bluntly opening all the doors is eyebrow raising
@Qaiser K. Ahmed If at all there is some complaint, the Indus Rivers Basin Treaty Provides for a mechanism for dispute resolution and a party can use the said procedure for remedy. However my view is that the government of Pakistan holds the view that India abides by the treaty, which it should in the interest of peace and amity. Even during war in 1965 and 1971 and during grave tension latter the treaty remained in effect and it has been no body's case that it was violated. Therefore it is not fair to make accusations with little reason, although sometimes the politicians are inclined to do that, quite often for their narrow ends or as a diversionary tactic.
Look up the River Indus Treaty between Pakistan and India and determine if India is abiding to the agreement or not? My own study shows that India is not. Let's get this agreement sorted out before we open any new doors for India.
Jiya Zardari.We welcome your statement Mr President.Despite all odds,you are doing well.
Nawaz Shareef today asked the defence forces to build 10,000km capable missile to counter India's 5000Km Agin missile.Arms race again.Pathertic Mr NS.
We want peace and trade with India not arms race and war.
Who needs sitcom when we got PPP(gov) Classic