20000112

Pakistan invited

to Ahmedabad

AgriFair 2000

RECORDER REPORT

KARACHI: The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has invited Pakistan to participate in 'AgriFare 2000', being held at Ahmedabad, in the Indian province of Gujarat, from October 12 to 15, 2000.

The CII invitation, at a time when the tensions are running high between the two countries, is not understandable.

According to a source in the Ministry of Commerce, which had received the invitation through Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi.

The Ministry of Food and Agriculture has pointed out its financial constraints but it has inter-alia desired that the Export Promotion Bureau and the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry may consider participation in this international exhibition and conference.

Although reaction of either of the two institutions was not readily available, it could be safely assumed that they would decline participation in view of the anti-Pakistan propaganda officially launched by the Government of India to discredit Pakistan.