AsiaNet-Pakistan Premier Editorial Content and Press Release Distribution Service
Islamabad: Canadian politician Ruby Dhalla on Wednesday said her perception has been changed after visiting Pakistan.
Now, I will try to convince the world that Pakistan is not as some elements paint it; Pakistanis are affectionate and peace-loving people, and this country is safe for tourists and investment.
She said that Pakistanis and Indians are living in harmony in foreign countries; they try best to help each other wherever possible.
People of the two countries can also live peacefully in the Sub Continent to lift the standard of living of the majority of world’s poor living in this region, she said while speaking to leaders of business community.
Ruby Dhalla, the first Indian politician to become member of the Canadian Parliament in 2004 is presently visiting Pakistan on the invitation of World Punjabi Organisation (WPO).
President WPO Pakistan Iftikhar Ali Malik who is also VP Saarc CCI, Ali Badar, Secretary General WPO, Malik Sohail Hussain, Coordinator WPO and Chairman Media FPCCI, former VP FPCCI Malik Zubair and others were present on the occasion.
Lauding the efforts of both governments and business community, Dhalla said that Pakistan and India are natural trading partners which can benefit each other in a great way.
Fear and insecurity needs to be replaced by stressing on similarities we enjoy in languages, literature, music, religious traditions etc, she stressed.
Lauding the hospitality of common Pakistanis she thanked Governor Punjab Sardar Latif Khosa and Secretary General PPP Jahangir Badar.
She said that leaders Iftikhar Ali Malik are an asset who has devoted life to serve poor and boost regional cooperation.
“Faisal Mosque is one of the most beautiful mosques I have ever seen,” said Ruby Dhalla.
At the occasion, Iftikhar Ali Malik said that we had enough of politics, now love, peace, cooperation and trade should take centre stage, the veteran business leader said.
Pakistan and India have agreed to double bilateral trade from $2.7 billion to around $6 billion per annum within three years which should be revised as the actual potential is much more, Iftikhar Ali Malik said.
Pakistan’s exports to India stand at $286 million while the latter’s amount to $1.445 billion which should be balanced by New Delhi, he said.
“I will continue to strive for peace between people two countries who have lived together for thousands of years,” he concluded.
For more information, contact:
Syed Masood Alam Rizvi
Secretary General
Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI)
B-1, Federation House, Main Clifton Road, Shahra-e-Firdousi,
Karachi-75600, Pakistan
Tel: +9221 3587 3691
Fax: +9221 3587 4332
Email: info@fpcci.com.pk