India-Pak move on path of international commitment for progress

ATTARI: Inauguration of India’s first of seven Integrated Check Posts (ICP) at Indo-Pak border on the occasion of the foundation day of Khalsa on Baisakhi day here on Friday revealed another ICP (international commitment for progress) gripping leaders of both India and Pakistan, who showed keenness to dismantle all hurdles for trade. Indian commerce minister Anand Sharma asked his Pakistani counterpart to turn entire positive list of around 5000 tradable items to be taken through land route instead of just 137 allowed now.
The grand inauguration was conducted in the presence of dignitaries, businessmen and media persons from both countries at the border. Virtually confirming TOI’s story of allowing kids and elderly visa on arrival, Union home minister P Chidambaram indicated a new and liberal visa regime is going to be implemented once the Pakistan Cabinet approves certain measures which India has already approved. Refusing to give specifics, he, however, made it clear the new visa regime will be very liberal to kids, elderly, business and spouses.
Chidambaram also said legislators of both countries will have an easier visa regime. The demand was made by Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal.
Pakistan’s commerce minister Makhdoom Amin Fahim said the experiment of the one year visa of multiple entry to ten cities to businessmen could be extended for ever if the yearly experiment succeeds.
Pakistani Punjab’s chief minister Shahbaz Sharif talked about opening trade from the Hussainiwala border in Ferozepore and offering land-lock north west India an access to Karachi port. Karachi port is the closest to north west India, less than Mumbai and Kandla.
He also supported his counterpart Parkash Singh Badal’s demand of opening the Hussainiwala border for trade and visits of the people.
Sharif also proposed to set up free economic zones exclusively for India and Pakistan businesses. He, however, talked about water and Kashmir need to be discussed. Younger brother of the former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Shahbaz proposed kabaddi and kushti tournaments in the two countries. He also discussed this issue separately with Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Badal who promotes a kabaddi tournament.
Badal raised the issue of allowing a corridor between Dera Baba Nanak in India and Kartarpur in Pakistan, which are separated by four kilometers.
Sharma shared a wider vision of India making efforts of economic integration of South Asia through efforts like ICP saying South Asia has lagged behind in sharing fruits of development.
Badal raised the issue of Pakistan not allowing Indian trucks going to Afghanistan but those coming from Afghanistan are allowed in India.
Badal urged the Union government to consider most of items being traded through land saying even the list of 137 comes down to just 47 items when fruits, vegetables and meats are taken as three groups. Chidambaram urged Pakistani nationals to use arrival and departure facilities in the grand ICP instead of the old gate.