Pakistan High Commissioner for easing visa restrictions and increasing trade

In his first official trip to Amritsar since Abdul Basit took charge as Pakistan High Commissioner to India, has expressed confidence that the two countries will be able to work together to enhance trade and ease visa restrictions when the new government assumes power.

Speaking on the sidelines of a Pakistan show inaugurated in Amritsar, Basit said, "The two Punjab's are blazing the trail in our two countries. The Pakistan show inaugurated this afternoon is testimony to the fact that enormous opportunity exists between two countries; this also shows that two countries can work together on mutual respect."

He also expressed confidence that the new Government in Delhi will be able to respond to Pakistan prime minister, Nawaz Sharif's vision for peace and development.

The Pakistan High Commissioner, also exuded hope that the two way trade will get boosted once the new Government assumes charge in Delhi "I think trade is part of our overall dialogue process and we have come a long way in that context-currently our bilateral trade is2.6 billion US dollars. One hopes that as we move forward, we engage with each other and the trade process will get a further boost when the new government takes over."

When asked a question on opening up of a visa facility in Amritsar as demanded by some quarters of businessmen here, Basit held out hope on carrying forward on easing visa restrictions-between the two nations- to ensure free passage of people.

"Visa is one area where we are working with the Indian Government, to see as to how this can be further liberalized. Unless we create opportunities for our two peoples and to meet each other more freely, it would continue to be rather difficult to build a normal relation between two countries," Basit added.