Terming his five-day visit to Pakistan as
"historic and successful", Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal
today said the governments of both Punjabs had shown keen interest in setting
up of joint industrial zones, which would be treated at par with the local
industry.
Speaking to mediapersons in Attari after crossing
over to India, Sukhbir said he had played his part by initiating the process of
strengthening trade and commerce ties between the two countries.
"During our five-day visit to Pakistan, we worked
out several proposals. The list will be sent to the Union Government for final
approval," he said.
Sukhbir said Pakistan Punjab's Chief Minister
Shahbaz Sharif, too, had agreed on the proposal for setting up joint industrial
zones. "Entrepreneurs of both Punjabs will be free to set up their
industrial units in such areas, which will be treated at par with the local
industry. The products manufactured in these zones will be duty-free," he
said.
Both Punjabs, he said, had also agreed upon to
constitute a 20-member (10 from each side) joint coordination committee to
discuss various issues, including increasing the trade ties and exchange of
ideas in various fields. The committee would meet at least once every two
months. Among the 10 members would be three ministers, three secretaries and
four businessmen.
"The onus is now on the Union Government to
give a concrete shape to the proposals and carry forward the dialogue," he
said.
Sukhbir said he had also raised the issue of
setting up of a visa consulate in Lahore and Amritsar and opening Hussainiwala
and Suleman Ki (Fazilka) borders for trade. He said he had also urged Sharif to
strengthen infrastructure on its side of the Integrated Check Post at Attari.
The governments of both Punjabs have also agreed
to initiate 'Punjab Cup', a bi-annual sports tournament comprising cricket,
hockey, wrestling and tug-of-war, he said.
The Deputy Chief Minister said Sharif had also
accepted his invitation to grace as chief guest the Kabbadi World Cup final
slated to be held in Ludhiana on December 15.
He said he had also requested Pakistan Punjab
Assembly Speaker Rana Iqbal Mohammad to organise cricket, and if possible
kabaddi too, matches between the legislators of both Punjabs.
Sukhbir said he had requested Sharif to rename a
chowk in Lahore after martyr Bhagat Singh and release Indian prisoners,
including Sarbjit Singh.
What
Punjabs discussed
- Constituting
a 20-member (10 from each side) committee to discuss various issues
- The
committee will meet at least once every two months
- Among
the 10 members will be three ministers, three secretaries and four
businessmen
- Setting
up of a visa consulate in Lahore and Amritsar
- Opening
of Hussainiwala and Fazilka borders for trade
- Strengthening
infrastructure on both sides of the Integrated Check Post
- Initiating
'Punjab Cup', a bi-annual sports tournament comprising cricket, hockey,
wrestling and tug-of-war
- Organising
cricket, and if possible kabaddi too, matches between the legislators of
both Punjabs
