The ruling Pakistan People's Party leader Jehangir Badr has said that over 1,200 items on the negative list
regime for trade with India will be withdrawn in December. He said, the time has come for the two countries to think of introducing a common currency to boost trade. Around 40 Indian journalists, who are in Pakistan for a three-day visit, attended the conference in Lahore jointly arranged by the Lahore Press Club, Chandigarh Press Club and the Press Club of India, New Delhi.

Badr, who is part of a parliamentary-level peace dialogue between the two countries, mentioned how the PPP and its governments had been trying to improve relations with India.Pakistan Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira, who also addressed the gathering, said peace between India and Pakistan is very important and both countries were actively engaged at different levels in this regard.