'Indo-Pak disputes harming south Asia's economic growth'

New Delhi, Mar 8 (PTI) Former Pakistan President Pervez
Musharraf Sunday linked the growth of economic ties between
India and Islamabad to resolution of disputes between the two
neighbours.

He said that South Asian region is "out of the loop" of a
crucial period of economic progress, dubbed as Asia's Century,
because of the "conflict" between India and Pakistan.

"Our region, South Asia and Central Asia is out of this
loop (of economic progress) because of the conflict between
India and Pakistan," Musharraf said during an interactive
session organised by Assocham. He, however, did not take
questions saying he was "not supposed to talk to you."

"I am a strong believer we must resolve all our disputes
and then have intra-regional cooperation at SAARC level and
inter-regional cooperation between South Asia and Central
Asia, South Asia and the Middle East," he said.

Musharraf pitched for a key role for Pakistan in the
economic progress of the region contending that his country's
geostrategic location was ideal to have a trade and energy
corridor for the region.

The unique geo-strategic location of Pakistan provides a
linkage between South Asia and Central Asia, western parts of
China, Gulf and the Middle East, he said.

"It has always been my belief for Pakistan to act as a
trade and energy corridor. This will be realised if we resolve
our disputes and start an era of harmony, peace and
friendship," Musharraf said.

Assocham had earlier said there would be an interactive
session with Musharraf, but had to curtail it due to
"contractual agreement" with the visiting leader.

"Musharraf had a contractual agreement with India Today
only because of that there was no interaction," D S Rawat,
Secretary General, Assocham said.

Musharraf is on a visit to India at the invitation to
participate in the India Today Conclave.

At the Conclave last evening, he faced a barrage of
questions regarding terrorism emanating from Pakistan which
made him visibly uncomfortable.

At the function Sunday, Musharraf said that trade between
India and Pakistan had increased when he was at the helm of
affairs in his country and it can grow further if there is
permanent peace between the two countries.

He noted that there has been "acrimony and hostility"
between the two neighbours because of terrorist acts in the
recent past.

Ravi Wig, Chairman of the SAARC Committee of Assocham,
wished Musharraf returned at the helm of affairs in Pakistan.
PTI SKU
SAK
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