LAHORE: Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif on Tuesday said that the promotion of trade between India and Pakistan is a need of the moment, DawnNews reported.

Addressing Pakistan-India trade conference in Lahore, Sharif said that if India takes a step forward for reconciliation talks then Pakistan would  welcome the initiative open-heartedly and respond by taking two steps towards the neighbouring country.

He said: “For the prevalence of peace in the region, bilateral talks between the countries are very important.”

“Both countries will have to think about the public interest,” the chief minister added.

Moreover he said that the two countries did not gain anything by engaging in three wars.

“If steps of reconciliation are not taken at this point in time, then future generations will never forgive us,” he added.