Former Convener of Founders Group and Sitting Member of LCCI Executive Committee Chaudhry Zaka Ashraf has said that recent visit of 72-member delegation of LCCI, along with their families to India, has proved a total failure, as it could not get any tangible benefit for the business community of Lahore during this visit.
In a press release issued on Monday, Zaka said that he has already been pointing out that there would be no use of economic liberalisation unless the Indian government agrees to resolve all disputes, including Kashmir.
He said that President Pervez Musharraf, in his recent address to the satellite conference of India, has also endorsed that no concrete development in Indo-Pak relations could take place without the resolution of Kashmir issue. He said that President Pervez Musharraf should take notice of the vested interest elements in the business community.
He said that free trade with India is only possible in a situation where the customs duties are adjusted in line with the growth of local industry.
In case, the government allows free import from India at the cost of local industry, it would result into more unemployment and more poverty in the country, he added.
Zaka also urged President Musharraf to issue directions to the Finance Ministry for preparing guidelines for the Chambers of Commerce & Industry and other businessmen forums in connection with their desire, to extend business relations with India without compromising on the national interests of Pakistan.