Move to allow FDI from Pakistan draws strong reactions

LAHORE: Leaders of religious and extremist groups, including JuD chief Hafiz Saeed, have strongly reacted to India's decision to allow investments by Pakistanis, claiming that the move is part of a plan to destabilise Pakistan.

Saeed called on "patriotic citizens and businessmen not to fall into the Indian trap."

He claimed Pakistanis would reject the Indian offer as they would prefer to invest in their own country, and warned the PPP-led government against giving Most Favoured Nation-status to India.

"India cannot be Pakistan's friend and the government should keep this in mind. Trade with India means destruction of Pakistan's economy," he claimed.

Jamaat-e-Islami chief Munawar Hasan said: "India is continuously trying to weaken Pakistan under a plan. Its water aggression against our country is going on as it has built 62 dams over Pakistani rivers and is denying this country its due share of water."

Hasan alleged that India wants to convert Pakistan into a desert and destroy its industries, agriculture and economy to make Pakistan totally dependent on it.

He said the energy crisis had been "created" to compel industrialists to move their capital abroad.

Almost 40 per cent of Pakistan's industry had already shifted to Bangladesh and the rest could be tempted by the Indian offer, Hasan claimed.