Pakistan envoy hopes for peace, development from next government

Pakistan's High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit Thursday hoped that new government in India would work for peace and development with Pakistan for greater stability of the region.

"We are confident that the next Indian government will respond to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's region first vision and his 'policy of peace for development'," Abdul Basit said after inaugurating the 'Pakistan Show' in this Sikh holy city.

"Pakistan as a democratic country cannot but only strive for peace and prosperity of the two countries and the region as a whole," he said.

Abdul Basit said that there was tremendous potential of business and people to people ties between the two Punjabs in both countries.

"The two Punjabs are blazing the trail for our two countries and showing us the path to build peace on the basis of mutual respect. The Pakistan Show is testimony to the enormous potential that exists between Pakistan and India. We must persevere to create an environment of bonhomie and the time has come to turn a new leaf and dispense with the paradigm of hostility," he said.

The 'Pakistan Show' has been organised here by the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) from May 8 to 12. Over 100 Pakistani exhibitors are showcasing their products in the show.