Trade relations between Pak­istan and India have been suspended since August 2019 when New Delhi revoked the law providing special status or autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir.

LAHORE — Pakistan’s leading businessman Mian Muhammad Mansha has claimed that backchannels are working between Pakistan and India that will hopefully yield good results.

“If things improve between the two neighbours, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi could visit Pakistan in a month,” the chairman of Nishat Group told a gathering of businessmen at the Lahore Chambers of Commerce and Industry on Wednesday, a leading Pakistan daily, Dawn reported.

He advised the two countries to resolve their disputes and start a trade to fight poverty in the region.

“If the economy does not improve, the country may face disastrous consequences. Pakistan should improve trade relations with India and take a regional approach to economic development. Europe fought two great wars but ultimately settled for peace and regional development. There is no permanent enmity.”

Trade relations between Pak­istan and India have been suspended since August 2019 when New Delhi revoked the law providing special status or autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir. There have been reports of backchannel talks last summer between the two economies of the region brokered by a Gulf state. However, the Pakistan government said the talks were discontinued due to India’s refusal to restore J&K’s special status.