KARACHI: Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) has hailed the decision of the Prime Minister Imran Khan to make Torkhum border operational round the clock within six months.
Engr. Daroo Khan Achakzai, President FPCCI, also emphasized the need that similar facility might also be provided at Chaman Border, Balochistan.
President FPCCI asked the government to provide the trade facilitation at these two important borders. “People to people contact is crucial for the two Islamic neighbors, but, this must be translated into effective and strong economic and trade relations,” Achakzai said adding the sole earnings of the businessmen around these borders check posts was trade, thus, “the more we facilitate them the more will be the benefit to the region in specific and countries in general”.
He said Advisor to PM for Commerce Razak Dawood had promised a separate policy for Afghan trade, which was still awaited, and this must be announced as soon as possible as this would boost the bilateral trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
He also asked the government to consider third country transit trade to Central Asia, which would open new avenues for the region and increase trade activity many folds. “With China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) insight, this measure will be a massive leap forward in making Pakistan a major trade hub of this region”.
Achakzai hoped that the present government would enhance the trade facilitation at these border openings, which would not only help bilateral trade but transit trade as well and generate massive trade activity, employment for these backward areas of KPK and Baluchistan.
President FPCCI has asked the government to urge Government of Afghanistan to provide similar trade facilitation on the Afghan side at Torkham and Chaman as well.