--By Suraksha Adhikari 

 

Nepal and Pakistan have long shared a history of people-to-people relations. These relations date back to the ancient times when horses and mules were the only means of transportation. Turkish horses were very popular in Nepal then, and those horses were bred either in Baluchistan or Afghanistan. Pathans from these areas used to travel to Nepal to trade such horses and different items like spices, raisins, and dates which were also imported to Nepal by the Pathans. In the course of expanding their trade, some of them settled down in the western part of Nepal.

 

During the British rule in India, Lahore (now the cultural heart of Pakistan) was the recruitment centre for those who wanted to serve in the British Gurkha Army. Later, Lahore became synonymous for those Nepali citizens who went abroad to work, morphing into the term ‘Lahure’. On the cultural and linguistic front, the Nepali language has adopted many Urdu words. Many words in our legal language - still being used in courts and in public - were directly adapted from Urdu.  ‘Hajur’ adapted from ‘Huzoor’, for instance, is a common word used by Nepali citizens expressing respect to a person.

 

Prize winners of Ambassador of Pakistan Essay Writing Competition-2013

 

Nepal- Pakistan Diplomatic Relations

Diplomatic relations between Nepal and Pakistan were established on 29 March 1960. These relations were fully materialised between 1962 and 1963, along with opening diplomatic missions in both countries. King Mahendra had made a strategic move by establishing diplomatic relations with the newly formed Pakistan. He had considered Nepal’s geo-political location and has ever since regarded Pakistan as a close friend that supports Nepal’s sovereignty and independence.

 

Pakistan has been helping Nepal in the development of its human resource by way of offering technical assistance through academic scholarships for education in the fields of medicine, pharmacy, engineering, dentistry and journalism as well as defense, management and banking sectors. Some Nepalese students have been pursuing medical courses in Pakistan on a self-financing basis as well. Nepal hopes that this development of quality human capital will go a long way in its socioeconomic development. Pakistan has also been providing training to the Nepal Army which continues till date. Pilots, aeronautical engineers and technicians working for Nepal Airlines, were also trained in Pakistan International Airlines (PTA) headquarters.

 

However, as compared to political and diplomatic relations, direct trade with Pakistan has declined and the volume of trade has remained nominal. There are a few options to resume trade links between the two countries including connecting through the Great Himalayan Trail that extends from the Nanga Parbat peak in Pakistan, and passes through Nepal to reach Namche Barwa in Tibet. The opening of the Wagah border between Pakistan and India for commercial trade can also contribute to increase Nepal-Pakistan trade. In fact, despite the distance, there exists a calm proximity between the two countries.

 

 

Trade and Investment

 A trade agreement was signed between Nepal and Pakistan on 28 July 1982. However, the volume of trade between the two countries has been rather small. Nepal exports Pashmina products, tea, lentils, large cardamom, ginger, spices, paper products, etc. to Pakistan and imports leather products, garments, quality rice, chemicals, dry fruits, surgical instruments, sports goods, light engineering and electronic goods. Availability of multi model connectivity between the two countries would have provided basis for the realisation of enormous trade potential. 

 

There is greater potential for Nepal to export tea, large cardamom, hide and skin, Pashmina-products, agro-products and medicinal herbs to Pakistan. Similarly, Pakistan’s cotton, cotton-yarn, textiles, synthetic yarn, leather garments, surgical instruments, cutleries, ceramic products, mangos and other seasonal fruits have better scope for export to Nepal. Recently, Pakistani businessmen have shown interest in setting-up joint venture industries in Nepal.

 

 

The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry have established the FNCCI-FPCCI Joint Business Council. The meetings have provided good opportunities for the business communities of the two countries.  Similarly, the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Chambers of Commerce and Industries in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad to enhance trade and commerce between the two countries.

 

The potential for tourism between Nepal and Pakistan, however, remains under-explored. The number of Pakistani people visiting Nepal is approximately 4000 a year. Visitors mainly include officials and a few businessmen and tourists. Nepal and Pakistan have concluded a Tourism Cooperation Agreement on 17 February 2009 which is expected to contribute to the promotion of tourism relations between the two countries.