Mian Anjum Nisar, President FPCCI has expressed his serious concern over not allowing consignments of Pakistani goods destined to Afghanistan through Chaman, Torkham and Khorlachi.

In a statement, he said that bilateral trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan is stands still. These borders were closed due to pandemic situation of Covid-19 and has been re-opened by the government recently for cargo traffic to Afghanistan but the concerned authorities on the borders are allowing only those trucks which are carrying cargo under transit trade.

President FPCCI further said that Pakistani exporters are facing heavy losses because thousands of trucks of Pakistani traders, carrying perishable items like potatoes, vegetable in addition to rice, medicines and table eggs, cattle & poultry feeds, small chicks, paints and other miscellaneous items have stuck on Pak Afghan borders for which advance payments have already been deposited in the bank including advance income tax and EDF charges.

He was of the view that these items cannot be exported to any other country except Afghanistan and the concerned authorities should also allow Pakistani exports consignments to move to Afghanistan. The government of Pakistan opened the borders to facilitate the traders and exporters both under bilateral trade and transit trade, he added.

Anjum Nisar pointed out that since Covid-19 breakouts, trade between Iran and Afghanistan has never been halted any day and Iran - Afghanistan bilateral trade is smoothly running, whereas Pakistani exporters are in serious trouble and Pak - Afghan bilateral trade stands still which is damaging our economy.

He informed that Razak Dawood, Advisor to Prime Minister for Commerce and Investment had assured us that Pak Afghan borders will be operative for 5 days a week which should be immediately notified on the borders and export of Pakistani goods should also be allowed through these borders.-PR