‘Pak realises trade more beneficial than bullets’

Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal on Friday described as historic his visit to Pakistan and said people on both sides in the two Punjabs - in India and Pakistan - are eager to boost trade, commerce, culture and sports ties.

"They have realised that the language of economics was more beneficial than language of bullets," Sukhbir said as he walked over into India from Pakistan through Attari Joint Check Post.

The deputy CM who returned after a five day tour of the neighbouring country said, "We have laid a solid foundation for mutual cooperation in trade and commerce between the two Punjabs and now the onus is on respective countries to carry forward the dialogue."

Sukhbir said that during the bilateral talks, Chief Minister of Punjab Province (Pakistan) Shahbaz Sharif also agreed on the proposal of Joint Industrial Zones in both the Punjabs in which entrepreneurs of both sides could set up their industries and their units would be treated on par with local industry.

"Such Joint Industrial Zones exist in some countries. We have decided to take up the matter with out respective federal governments," Sukhbir said, adding that the zone could be developed in an area of 2,000 acres.

Sukhbir said he has requested Sharif to provide better infrastructure in ICP Pakistan to speed up the clearance of goods movement. "The ICP in pakistan need to match the infrastructure on the Indian side. With the current infrastructure (in Pakistan), it will be tough to handle the enhanced volume of trade," Sukhbir said, adding the likely decision of giving full port status to Wagah will give the two Punjabs an opportunity to boost their economy.

He said he has asked Sharif to persuade his government to open Hussainiwala and Suleman Ki (Fazilka) borders to facilitate increased trade and commerce between both sides.

... contd.

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