Heading towards more integration, the world economies are signing agreements to allow free movement of cargoes within economic blocs. The main issue facing the nations is to accelerate the pace of development to meet the challenges of growing population, a third of which lives in Pakistan, China, India and former Russian states. This part of the world is also facing growing disparity between rich and poor as well as economic challenges and security issues. Pakistan is also facing many challenges, but an effort is being made to enhance coordination and cooperation with regional countries. It is to be noted that 26 percent of the population in the Economic Cooperation Organisation member states is Muslim and economic cooperation and implementation of trade agreementswill help them expand their volume of import and export. As the ECO members, Pakistan and other countries within the bloc have ratified the International Transport Convention, allowing the transportation of cargo within their territories without being checked and inspected by customs and other authorities. The ratification will come into effect from next year and it will not only benefit the landlocked countries, such as Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and other central Asian states, but it will also spur economic activities in Pakistan. The recent visit of Indian Prime Minister to Lahore is part of this strategy as India wants transitory rights to export its goods to Afghanistan.
According to the chief of ECO Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the aim of their organization is to form a customs union of the member states, sign investment treaties and implement ECO Trade Agreement. But the ECO chambers are facing various challenges one of which is red-tape and it is a big hurdle in developing cooperation within the member countries. The Gwadar port has the potential to become a hub of trade activities not only for Pakistan and China, but also for the Central Asian countries and Afghanistan. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is also a source of attraction for the ECO member states, especially after the ratification of International Transport Convention.
India is out of context in the matter of central Asia due to its utmost animosity toward Pakistan. The recent short visit of the Indian prime minister is a good omen as India had to change its attitude of hostility toward Pakistan under world pressure, but cooperation between the two countries is more in the interest of the Indian people than Pakistan. It is hoped that common sense will prevail on both sides of the divide and India will accept the hand of friendship offered by Pakistan.
