India, Pak made huge strides in normalising trade ties: Gilani

Gilani made the remarks while addressing a conference of top businessmen of the two countries in the capital of Punjab province.

He said improved ties with India "are important for us as it offers a billion-plus market to the Pakistani exporters".

The premier said that over the past 12 months, the two countries had "moved fast not just to normalise relations but remove those irritants which hamper trade and economic relations".

"It was in April 2011 when the two countries announced their intention to normalise bilateral trade relations. And by April 2012, we have made huge strides in this direction," he said.

Pakistan decided to scrap the positive list regime for imports from India and replace it with a negative list and the Wagah-Attari Trade Gate, which opened recently, will go a long way in boosting the volume of trade, he said.

At the same time, Gilani warned, the two sides must remain vigilant to thwart elements that could endanger the peace process which resumed last year.

"I must caution that recent successes do not mean that we should become complacent. We face many challenges and threats from forces inimical to peace," he said.

"We are passing through turbulent times in our history in which non-state actors are determined to harm the peace process. Such forces are present on both sides of the border and we have to remain vigilant that they are not able to derail our hard earned gains," he said without giving details.

Gilani said he had extended "unwavering support" to peace and people-to-people contacts. (More)