Bhutto's killing may impact Indo-Pak trade links: India Inc

NEW DELHI: Condemning the assassination of former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, India Inc on Friday said instability in the neighbouring country could hamper trade relations between the two countries.
    
Bhutto's assassination may postpone elections and thereby restoration of democracy in Pakistan, which would eventually affect trade relations between the two countries, industry body FICCI said.
    
Benazir Bhutto, 54, who was Pakistan's first woman Premier, was killed in a suicide attack in an election rally in Rawalpindi on Thursday.
    
Political instability in a country prevents the business community from working freely, impeding its trade relations with other countries.
    
The current situation may also impact the unorganized trade between India and Pakistan, which is estimated at about $3 billion dollars.
    
Echoing the concern, PHD Chamber said return of Bhutto to Pakistan had generated hope that terrorism would be dealt with effectively in her country.
    
CII President Sunil Bharti Mittal said dastardly acts like this emphasise the need for the world to fight terrorism unitedly.
    
CII over the years has had the privilege to interact with Benazir Bhutto. "We offer our condolences to the people of Pakistan and to her family," the industry body said.
    
Assocham said Bhutto was trying her best to restore democracy in Pakistan and with her assassination; the fight for elimination of terrorism could weaken.
    
The chamber urged authorities in Pakistan to identify the culprits who killed the former Prime Minister and bring them to book.