By IANS
New Delhi : Stalwarts of Indian industry Friday expressed shock and anguish over the assassination of former Pakistan prime minister Benazir Bhutto in Rawalpindi.
According to the business chambers, her sudden demise, which has resulted in widespread violence across Pakistan, may translate into a serious decrease in bilateral trade between India and Pakistan.
“We are deeply anguished by Benazir Bhutto’s sudden demise. But we hope the reason for which she sacrificed her life, which is democracy, should be restored,” Habil Khorakiwala, president, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci), told IANS.
“We were looking forward to the establishment of democracy in Pakistan which would stimulate relationships between the both the countries. Democracy is in fact the basis on which not only political relationships thrive but it’s also a great leveller in greater economic engagement,” Khorakiwala added.
Amit Mitra, secretary general, Ficci, said: “Currently the unofficial trade between both the countries is about $3 billion and official (trade) is $800 million. We were thinking with the restoration of democracy we could up the target to $10 billion within the next three years.
“This was a heinous crime and we only hope that the democracy in Pakistan is not derailed.”
Another chamber, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), said in a statement: “A dastardly act like this emphasises the need for the world to unite and fight terrorism.”
“The CII over the years has had the privilege to interact with Benazir Bhutto. Today, we are deeply saddened at the tragic loss of this senior leader of the sub-continent. We offer our condolences to the people of Pakistan and to her family.”
Condemning the incident, the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham) averred: “The assassination of chief of Pakistan Peoples Party, Benazir Bhutto, is the most heinous and dastardly act.”
“Bhutto was trying her best to restore democracy in Pakistan and with her assassination, the forces fighting for elimination of terrorism could weaken,” Assocham President Venugopal N. Dhoot said.
Assocham also urged Pakistani rulers to “immediately identify the culprits that killed Bhutto and punish them in the severest manner so that recurrences of such attempts are prevented for good.”