The closure of Pak-Afghan border after law and order issues has affected business activities on both sides of the border. The business of typha, wooden beams and bamboo products in Bannu has also suffered a setback after the border closure.
A market of these products is situated at Bannu-Lakki Marwat Road in Mirakhel area. People from Karachi to Peshawar visit this market to buy items for construction and other purposes and the goods of this market are also exported to Afghanistan. The business activities at this market have also virtually came to a standstill after closure of the Pak-Afghan border.
A local trader, Saifullah said the goods at the market arrive from Tank and he sales the good to people on retail prices. "People prefer our goods for construction of roofs of their houses, beds and other items. Our business has suffered a major setback after closure of the border and we event don't have money to pay to our workers. We send our goods to all parts of the country and Afghanistan," he told media persons. Another businessman at the market, Rasool Niaz said the government should open the Ghulam Khan border with Afghanistan as it is shortest and cheapest route for export of goods.