Members of Parliaments of Pakistan and India met for the 5th round of Pakistan-India Parliamentarians’ Dialogue in Islamabad, Pakistan on September 19-20, 2013. The MPs were hosted to an interactive luncheon meeting, by Mr. Sartaj Aziz, Prime Minister’s Advisor on National Security and Foreign Affairs. MPs also thanked Chairman Senate of Pakistan, Senator Syed Nayyer Hussain Bokhari, for his inauguration of the 2-day Dialogue and welcomed his support towards encouraging interaction between Parliamentarians. MPs noted that this reflected the encouragement given to the Dialogue by the Speaker of the Indian Lok Sabha when Pakistani MPs visited Delhi for the 4th round of MPs Dialogue in August 2012.
Affirming their commitment to build an environment of peace through dialogue, the two sides reiterated their resolve to continue the Dialogue process to stabilize relations between the two countries.
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As representatives of the people of Pakistan and India, the MPs noted the progress achieved on various bilateral issues, including Visas and Trade, contributions for which were made in recommendations by the Parliamentarians in 4 rounds of MPs Dialogues held since January 2011.
Parliamentarians urged the two Governments to sustain the resumed dialogue between the two countries to speed up the process of achieving durable peace, recognising, at the same time, the need for serious action on issues of concern for reinforcing the continuity of the dialogue process. Underscoring the need for a holistic approach on conflict resolution, Parliamentarians asked the two Governments to engage with each other on all issues, including issues relating to Jammu and Kashmir, through dialogue. They expressed the hope that the two Prime Ministers meet in New York to keep open doors for peace and good relations between Pakistan and India.
Welcoming the democratic transfer of power from one civilian Government to another through Pakistan’s 10th General Election held in May 2013, the two sides urged the two Governments to make use of the renewed prospects of peace offered by this to improve both neighbourly and regional relations.
An urgent need was expressed by Parliamentarians from both sides to address the critical issue of rising water scarcity both in India and Pakistan.
Recognising that the Indus Waters Treaty is the best guarantee of resolving any possible issues of water resources between the two countries, Parliamentarians urged the two Governments to jointly examine issues of climate change and environment impact assessment as also to consider technologies of efficient use of water in agriculture while substantially improving yields.
Underlining the huge potential for bilateral trade, now running at over US $ 2 billion, but capable of rising to atleast US $ 10 billion if all agreements are implemented expeditiously and outstanding issues discussed, Parliamentarians welcomed the establishment of the India Pakistan Joint Business Council and the priority areas of business they have identified. Parliamentarians also welcomed the work being undertaken towards activating gas supplies to Pakistan from India and power trading through the proposed 500-megawatt HVDC link from Amritsar to Lahore. Generic drugs also represent an important trade sector.
Parliamentarians also agreed that further improvements in trade and economic cooperation between the two countries requires:
Urgent progress towards granting MFN Status to India, as already agreed
Addressing Issues of Non-Tariff Barriers identified by Pakistan
Fully utilising and further expanding newly-built infrastructure at the Wahga-Attari border
Opening the Monabao-Khokhrapar route for bilateral trade
Re-opening the Indian Consulate General in Karachi and opening a counterpart Pakistani Diplomatic Mission in Mumbai and strengthening air and shipping routes between Karachi and Mumbai
Opening bank branches of either country in the other to facilitate trade exchanges
Further improving the business visa regime
Parliamentarians attached particular importance to the two Governments applying and expanding the existing agreements between the two countries relating to each others’ handling of humanitarian issues. The existing agreements on providing consular access to prisoners and fishermen, as well as their personal security and medical attention, need considerable improvement and Parliamentarians sought urgent action in this regard. They stressed that those people who have served their sentences must immediately be repatriated to their home country.
Parliamentarians welcomed the improvements agreed to the Visa Regime but underscored the critical importance of urgent implementation as also the need for significantly strengthening the regime.
Culture is the bonding adhesive of the people of Pakistan and India. In full recognition of the role that unimpeded cultural exchanges can play in promoting people-to-people contact and improving the atmosphere for the resolution of political, economic and other issues, Parliamentarians urged both Governments to dismantle any remaining obstacles to Cultural Exchanges. Sports too provide an opportunity for strengthening contacts. Similarly, tourism, including additional pilgrimage sites, should be encouraged.
Parliamentarians also attached great importance to the electronic and other news media on both sides and urged for strengthening research-based reporting that can promote peace and business between the two countries on a long-term basis.
Parliamentarians from Pakistan and India also agreed to strengthen Parliamentary ties and learn from best practices in the two countries on legislative and Parliamentary spheres. They also agreed that special ties should be built between the two Parliaments at the respective committee and friendship groups’ levels.
Parliamentarians urged the two Governments to make greater investment in exchange of students. Promotion of contact among youth and woman was also urged.
Parliamentarians from both sides recognised and appreciated the initiative of PILDAT to foster these dialogues and urged that this initiative be continued and reinforced.
Parliamentarians of Pakistan and India met for the 5th round of Dialogue under the presidium of Mr. Mani Shankar Aiyar, former Union Minister and Member of Indian Rajya Sabha from India, while Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Defence, Syed Naveed Qamar, MNA, Former Federal Minister for Defence, Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi, MNA, Former Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Zahid Hamid, MNA, Federal Minister for Science and Technology, Senator Nasreen Jalil (Sindh, MQM) and Senator Afrasiyab Khattak (KP, ANP) officiated the dialogue from the Pakistan side.
The 13-member delegation of Indian MPs who joined their Pakistani counterparts at the 2-day Dialogue included Rajya Sabha members Mr. Mani Shankar Aiyar (INC); Mr. K.C. Tyagi (JD-U); Mr. D. P. Tripathy (NCP); Ms. Anu Aga (Nominated); Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel (BSP); Mr. Ram Kirpal Yadav (RJD); Mr. C.P. Narayanan (CPI); Mr. Baishnab Parida (BJD); Mr. Birendra Prasad Baishya (AGP); Mr. Mohammad Adeeb (Ind.); Dr. T.N. Seema (CPI-M); and Lok Sabha Members Mr. Asaduddin Owaisi (AIMIM) and Mr. Kirti Azad (BJP).
50 Pakistani MPs joining the Dialogue included Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Defence, Syed Naveed Qamar, MNA, Former Federal Minister for Defence, Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi, MNA, Former Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Zahid Hamid, MNA, Federal Minister for Science and Technology, Senator Nasreen Jalil (Sindh, MQM), Senator Afrasiyab Khattak (KP, ANP), Senator Haji Muhammad Adeel (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, ANP), Senator Farhatullah Babar (PPPP, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Senator Dr. Jahangir Bader (PPPP, Punjab), Senator Heman Das (Balochistan, JUI-F), Senator M. Hamza (PML-N, Punjab), Senator Abdul Ghafoor Haideri (Balochistan, JUI-F), Senator Dr. Saeeda Iqbal (PPPP, Islamabad), Senator Osman Saifullah Khan (PPPP, Islamabad); Eng. Hamid ul Haq, NA (NA-2, Peshawar-II, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, PTI) and National Assembly members Eng. Ali Muhammad Khan, MNA (NA-10, Mardan-II, KP, PTI), Mr. Mujahid Ali Khan, MNA (NA-11, Mardan-III, KP, PTI), Mr. Usman Khan Tarrakai, MNA (NA-12, Swabi-I, KP, AJIP), Raja Aamer Zaman, MNA (NA-19,Haripur, KP, PTI), Mr. Sher Akbar Khan, MNA, (NA-28, Bunair, KP, JI), Mr. Salim Rehman, MNA (NA-30-Swat-II, KP, PTI), Sahibzada M. Yaqoob, MNA (NA-34, Lower Dir, KP, JI), Mr. Muhammad Zain Elahi, MNA (NA-59, Attock-III, Punjab, Independent), Mr. Amjad Ali Khan, MNA (NA-72 Mianwali-II, Punjab, PTI), Mr. Muhammad Talal Chaudhry, MNA (NA-76, Faisalabad-II, Punjab, PML-N), Rana Muhammad Afzal Khan, MNA (NA-82, Faisalabad-VIII, Punjab, PML-N), Chaudhry Mehmood Bashir Virk, MNA (NA-97, Gujranwala-III, Punjab, PML-N), Syed Ashiq Hussain Bukhari, MNA (NA-153, Multan-VI, Punjab, PML-N), Mr. Shafqat Mahmood, MNA (NA-126 Lahore-IX, Punjab, PTI), Mr. Muhammad Khan Daha, MNA (NA-157, Khanewal-II, Punjab, PML-N), Mr. Ghous Bux Mahar, MNA (NA-203, Shikarpur-cum-Sukkur Sindh, PML-F), Pir Bux Junejo, MNA (NA-234, Sanghar-I, Sindh, PML-F), Mr. Mehboob Alam, MNA (NA-242, Karachi-IV, Sindh, MQM), Mr. Rehan Hashmi, MNA (NA-245, Karachi-VII, Sindh, MQM), Dr. Arif Alvi, MNA (NA-254, Karachi XVI, Sindh, PTI), Mr. Abdul Rashid Godil, MNA(NA-252, Karachi-XIV, Sindh, MQM), Mr. Muzammil Qureshi, MNA (NA-253, Karachi-XV, Sindh, MQM), Ms. Nafeesa Inyat Ullah Khattak, MNA (NA-273, KP, PTI), Ms. Aisha Gulalai, MNA (NA-276, KP, PTI), Ms. Zeb Jaffar, MNA (NA-282, Punjab, PML-N), Ms. Arifa Khalid Pervez, MNA (NA-295, Punjab, PML-N), Ms. Maiza Hameed, MNA (NNA-298, Punjab, PML-N), Ms. Romina Khursheed Alam (NA-303, Punjab, PML-N), Ms. Kishwer Zehra, MNA (NA-303, Sindh, MQM), Dr. Ramesh Kumar Vankwani, MNA (NA-334, Sindh, PML-N), Mr. Bhawan Das, MNA (NA-335, Sindh, PML-N), Mr. Ramesh Lal, MNA (NA-339, Non-Muslim-II, Sindh, PPPP), Mr. Lal Chand Malhi, MNA(NA-340, Sindh, PTI), Mr. Sanjay Parwani, MNA (NA-341, Sindh, MQM) and Ms. Aasiya Nasir, MNA (NA-342, Balochistan, JUI-F).
