SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vice President Iftikhar Ali Malik on Sunday urged India and Pakistan to hold result-oriented dialogues for a durable peace in the region. Talking to the media, Iftikhar Malik said that normalisation of ties was vital for both the countries and the region. He said that closer regional economic ties between the two countries were imperative which would help create jobs, bring down inflation and boost energy sectors.

He also stressed the need for spending more time and energy for resolving key issues.

He said relationship between both the countries could be improved, if both the governments facilitate travelling between the two countries. "Ease up visa regimes, provide security to tourists, set up students and faculty exchanges, invite professionals, intellectuals and artists over to their sides of the border, organize concerts, host joint exhibitions and events, develop shared publications, invite critique and let guests conduct their research and document their experiences", he elaborated.

Iftikhar Malik said both the countries should remove the non-tariff barriers and bureaucratic hurdles impeding trade.

"In auto, textile and several other sectors, exports and partnerships can benefit traders from both countries equally", he added.

He said sports and politics should be kept separate and we should play cricket and other sports too to improve our ties. "If we put off all sporting ties until we resolve our problems that would not be wise.

These events do help create a better environment, he said and added that let's pool in our resources and efforts fighting against illiteracy, disease, discrimination, exploitation, poverty, unemployment. We have two of the biggest populations in the world, and therefore are most vulnerable to emerging global threats like climate change and food shortage. If we don't stand together, we may not stand at all", he added.

"We also need to find a workable solution of the ongoing border tension because while the rhetoric may be all guns blazing from New Delhi and Islamabad, it is the poor families living along the border who are in reality suffering", he said. "The rhetoric from either side needs toning down and the two should establish a narrative of mutual respect, along with easing up treaties and policies towards one another", he suggested.

"Pakistan and India should work together to find a peaceful settlement of the Kashmir issue. I call on the United Nations, the international community and India and Pakistan to work together with utmost urgency to right these wrongs, providing the people of Kashmir with the dignity, respect and freedom they deserve", he added.

Copyright Associated Press of Pakistan, 2017