A joint delegation from Pakistan and Afghanistan under the leadership of Zubair Motiwala, Chairman PAJCCI, met under the aegis of Beyond Boundaries-a CRSS led project to discuss difficulties arising out of the abrupt closure of Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Zubair Motiwala also had frequent discussions with Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on his persistent pursuance, on behalf of the Government of Pakistan the borders were opened for economic occupations and other passengers.
The delegation during their visit also met Federal Minister for Trade and Commerce, Khurram Dastagir Khan, National Security Advisor - Lieutenant General (retd) Nasir Janjua, Ambassador Afghanistan in Pakistan, Omar Zakhilwal, Chairman Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly of Pakistan - Mr. Awais Leghari, Chairman Pak-Afghan Parliamentary Friendship Group, Aftab Sherpao and Commerce Committee of the National Assembly of Pakistan.
Chairman PAJCCI extended his gratitude to all government officials on behalf of all the stakeholders across the border. He further requested for a waiver of any applicable port and shipping charges (detention/demurrage) applied to Afghan consignments/containers accruing from the closure of the border to limit the monetary losses of the business community.
The members of the delegation unanimously reiterated the significance of national sanctity and security and supported all measures that respective Governments may take to ensure the same. However, the same may not be continued at the beset of hurting the economic and social ties across the border through measures such as abrupt closure of the border for an indefinite period resulting in massive monetary losses and trust deficit.