Pak eagerly awaiting new Govt in India for new beginning:Basit

Pakistan is eagerly awaiting a new government in India for a "new beginning" in the bilateral dialogue process, its High Commissioner in New Delhi Abdul Basit Khan said today.
"We are eagerly awaiting new Government in India so that dialogue process could start meaningfully and compressively once again on a fast pace.
"With the new government setting up in Delhi, we hope that the two countries would engage with each other for a comprehensive and strategic boost to bilateral trade relations," he said.
Basit was speaking to reporters after inaugurating a 5-day mega maiden 'Pakistan Show 2014', jointly organised by Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry in collaboration with the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry here today.

"The governments on both sides are committed to boost bilateral trade so that peaceful development can be realised on both sides of the border sooner than later," he said.
He lauded the traders and businessmen of both nations of having strong potential. "These shows happening over a number of years are testimony to the fact that the business communities on both sides of the border are keen and eager to see peace ushering on both the countries," Basit said.

On the issue of Jammu and Kashmir, the Pakistani High Commissioner said, "Both the nations admit the issue of Jammu and Kashmir exists and it should be resolved. Moreover, it requires a dialogue process. So, here, we should also think to resolve this issue."

When asked about the presence of fugitive underworld don Dawood Ibrahim in Pakistan, Basit said, "Dawood is an Indian citizen and how could anyone claim that he is in Pakistan and we have no information about him".
He strongly condemned any act of terror which takes place in either of the countries, and said that Pakistan is the worst sufferer of terror acts as the country has lost 40,000 to 60,000 lives in terror acts.
"Now things are changing. We will work together to get rid of this problem of terrorism to bring peace and development in the region," he added.

On being asked about the drug smuggling menace, Basit said both India and Pakistan are victims of this problem.
"Presently, drug is being smuggled from Afghanistan and its basic ingredients also cultivated there. Hence, Indian and Pakistan have many common problems that required joint efforts," Basit said.
When asked what would be Pakistan's stand if Narendra Modi becomes the Prime Minister, he said, "Whichever political outfit comes to power in India, Pakistan would always expect smooth trade, visa and cultural relations between the two countries".