Amritsar, Punjab- As the North Zone Council (NZC) prepares to convene under the leadership of Home Minister Amit Shah in Amritsar on September 26, a prominent trade consortium has articulated the need for resuming trade relations with Pakistan.
Traders are optimistic about the Union government’s potential decision to reopen the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari, established in 2012. This move is anticipated to reinvigorate business routes with Pakistan, marking a fresh start and fostering economic growth in the border State of Punjab.
Mr. Ashok Sethi, the director of the prestigious Confederation of International Chambers of Commerce and Industry based in Amritsar, has emphasized the urgent necessity of rekindling trade. Local businesses in Punjab have been grappling with significant economic challenges since 2019, owing to the suspension of trade following the Pulwama terror attack. “It’s noteworthy that India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan have consistently engaged in trade, exceeding ₹8,000 crore annually since 2012, following the inauguration of the ICP’s state-of-the-art port,” he underscored.
Furthermore, Mr. Sethi highlighted Amritsar’s strategic location, boasting three international gateways via road, rail, and air connectivity. He articulated that Amritsar holds immense potential for trade expansion, facilitating road connections to Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, and further extending into Central Asian nations. The ICP was initially established to link India not only with its western neighbors but also with thriving trade hubs in Iran, Iraq, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and beyond.
“India, Pakistan, and particularly Afghanistan have nurtured business relations for centuries, with Amritsar consistently serving as a pivotal commercial center. Exploring these linkages, be it through air, road, or rail, has the potential to reinvigorate not only Punjab’s economy but the entire nation,” Mr. Sethi added.
