Integrated Check Post (ICP): Shahbaz witnesses inauguration ceremony at Wagah-Attari border

JALIL HASSAN AKHTAR

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif who on Friday went to India, along with Federal Commerce Minister, Makhdoom Amin witnessed the inauguration ceremony of Special Trade Gate when Indian Home Minister, P Chidambaram inaugurated the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Wagah-Attari border.

This inauguration is aimed at increasing people-to-people interaction and liberalising trade ties between two neighbouring countries.

Indian government has invested around Rs. 1.5 billion on the newly opened ICP, which was equipped with a dedicated passenger terminal and sprawling cargo facility.

The ICP comprising 118-acre passenger terminal, is manned by immigration staff and equipped with 16 baggage X-ray scanners. It also has 4,700 square metre cargo handling facility and 55,000 square metre parking space.

Giving briefing to media during the day, Indian officials said that the newly established facility would be monitored 24/7 with the help of 230 close-circuit cameras and the area would be guarded by the Border Security Force (BSF).

They believe that the ICP would encourage normalize bilateral trade regime, which would increase trade between the two neighbouring countries.

They said that Pakistan has removed restrictions on imports from India last month, shifting trade from positive to negative list regime. Pakistan now allows import of all other Indian goods even as only about 135 items are allowed through land route, they added.

They further pointed out that in the recent meeting with both commerce ministers, New Delhi consented to allow foreign direct investment (FDI) from Pakistan, which was another step towards liberalising commerce.

In addition, easy visa regime for business community would further strengthen the trade relation, they added.

Indian Punjab Chief Minister, Prakash Singh Badal and Indian Commerce and Industry Minister, Anand Sharma were also present at the inauguration ceremony.

Later Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on his return, talking to media stated that trade would improve relations between both countries, however he pointed out that unless core issues such as Kashmir and water will not settle, peace would not develop in the region.

He said issue of Kashmir should be settled in accordance with aspirations of people of Kashmir.

He hoped that peace would rise in the region bringing betterment to the people of both countries.