(TEXT BELOW)
Pak likely to import vegetables from India to tide over the food crisis
RASHMI TALWAR
AMRITSAR (Wagah Attari) – 3rd Sept 2022:
When Pak’s Finance Minister Miftah Ismail put across, to consider the import of vegetables and other edibles from India following massive floods in Pakistan that have consumed hundreds of lives and left a trail of devastation for standing crops, the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) followed it by placing a formal request.
The present moment comes three years after Islamabad downgraded trade ties with New Delhi over the abrogation of article 370 in Kashmir. And, almost 10 years after trade-in edibles was stalled in 2012, says Rajdeep Uppal President of Confederation of International Chambers of Commerce, Amritsar, a leading Indian exporter of vegetables.
At present Pak PM Shahbaz Sharif is looking at the possibility to stall soaring prices of vegetables due to floods. Top-notch diplomatic experts feel with the IMF approval of USD 1.17bn bailout fund, Pak would push for the shortest and easiest import of perishable edibles i.e. from India. It is hoped that this could thaw the ice around Islamabad and New Delhi and raise hopes for the resumption of quick, fulfilling, and cheaper trade between India and Pakistan via the shortest and easiest Wagah Attari route.
Rajdeep Uppal contends – “Between India and Pakistan the trade quantum was to the tune of 3$ Billion in better days. If full fledge trade resumes, the entire region could become prosperous with a potential for 10$ to 15$ Billion in trade”. “Of course national security is uppermost”, he adds
Pakistan is witnessing a massive surge in prices of vegetables and fruits, as the supply from Baluchistan, Sindh, and South Punjab is disrupted. The situation has turned desperate as basic crops of tomato are priced at Rs 500 and Onion at Rs 400 PKR. Since winter is ready to set in, the crisis will linger for the next three months. The floods have claimed nearly 1,600 lives so far.
Hope emerges from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s tweet that struck a compassionate note, which spurred a lakh of likes and multiple retweets- “Saddened to see the devastation caused by the floods in Pakistan. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, the injured, and all those affected by this natural calamity and hope for an early restoration of normalcy.” Add to it, the External affairs minister S. Jaishankar voiced his opinion looking at a “more non-reciprocal and generous India” for regional prosperity.
The sympathetic and pragmatic opportunity spells a win-win situation for both neighbors and a step forward in regional peace and prosperity. The border pockets would not be the only ones to derive an advantage with direct trade resumption; the entire stratosphere may see a sea change. However, an editorial in “The Tribune” suggests exercising restraint and cites Islamabad’s prolonged failure to take verifiable action against perpetrators of terrorism before taking a call on restarting trade.
What has changed?
According to the Indian side, Article 370’s revocation is a done deal; it cannot be reversed. Some movement has been made on electoral rolls for J&K elections, which is likely to usher in Political governance and restore statehood for the Union Territory.
On the Pak side during the current economic and now geographical crisis caused by floods, the Pak Public is in no mood to listen to issues of the Kashmir cause, when their own bellies go hungry. Hence Pak Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s attempt to open trade with India without New Delhi making some movement on Kashmir is not likely to see much of hurdles, weighing on the crucial food situation, the country is dealing with. Alternately even former Pak PM Imran Khan, who suspended trade between the two on the issue of Kashmir, attempts to pick faults in resuming Indo-Pak trade may fall flat given the soaring market prices in their country.
Rajdeep says-“The opportunity should not be lost or confined to mere temporary import rather it can serve to be an opening point to negotiate free trade corridor for entire central Asia, as Trade fulfills the promise and nurtures “co-dependence” of partners and a mutual interest in the prosperity of the other.”
The Author can be reached at email : rashmitalwarno1@gmail.com
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