Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ameer Haider Khan Hoti on Monday demanded of Afghan President Hamid Karzai to allow zero-rated import of Pakistani products to Afghanistan as it has given to India for the promotion of trade relations between the neighbouring countries.
The Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was addressing a ceremony held in connections with launching of a book, `Revival of History, under the auspices of Sarhad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCI) on Monday. The Chief Minister also called for the signing of free trade agreement between Pakistan and Afghanistan on the pattern of India. The book is published by SCCI after a detailed study on Trade Potentials of Pakistan with Afghanistan and Central Asian Republics (CARs). The study ha been compiled in shape of a book and has research carried out by the Research and Development Section of the chamber, headed by former SCCI president Ghulam Sarwar Khan Mohmand.
Leader of the Businessman Forum (BF) Senator Ilyas Ahmad Bilour, senior minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Bashir Ahmad Bilour, Minister for Information, Mian Iftikhar Hussein and officials of the embassies of the United States, Afghanistan and Iran were also present on the occasion.
The chief minister called for promotion of trade relations amongst Pakistan, India, Iran, Afghanistan and Central Asian Republics (CARs). He said the trade balance is a prerequisite for the promotion of bilateral trade, saying, discriminatory trade policies discourage the promotion of trade. He said that the import of goods from India is duty-free in Afghanistan while Pakistani businessmen have to pay around 13 percent duty on export of their goods.
The Chief Minister said Peshawar has played a role of Gateway for trade between Afghanistan, CARs and the Sub-continent and there is dire need to rejuvenate the past glory. Pakistan is strategically located to export its products to these markets and the business community should pursue marketing their products considering the scope and vast potential of CARs, he added.
The Chief Minister also laid stress on improved security situation both in Afghanistan and Pakistan for achievement of the goal of revival of trade in the region. "No one should think that stability in Afghanistan could be achieved with stable Pakistan," he observed. He called for joint work for bringing stability n the region and revival of the trade relations.
Incharge Research and & Development Cell, SCCI Sarwar Khan Mohmand said that Pakistan is situated at important geographic position, saying proper planning can turn it into a hub of trade. Pakistan needed to activate and develop mutually beneficial collaboration with CARs and Afghanistan in order to realise the existing great potential for trade and economic, he added. Leader of the Businessman Forum, Senator Ilyas Ahmad Bilour and president SCCI, Usman Bashir Bilour also spoke on the occasion.
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