PESHAWAR: The traders here on Thursday urged the government to extend cash-on-counter facility for six months to carry out smooth bilateral trade with Afghanistan.

They said that declaration policy should be implemented in letter and spirit at borders in light of the decision of State Bank of Pakistan.

The issues were raised during a joint meeting of the standing committees of Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry on dry port, railways and land route export here.

The traders said that government’s decision to increase the number of export items to Afghanistan from four to 16 in Pakistani currency to enhance the quantum of trade with the neighbouring country was not materialised. They said non-implementation of the decision was hindering smooth mutual trade with the neighbouring country.

Urges govt to extend cash-on-counter facility for six months

Besides SCCI president Hasnain Khurshid Ahmad, senior vice-president Imran Khan Mohmand, Ziaul Haq Sarhadi, Imtiaz Ahmad Ali and officials of railways, customs and State Bank including Marina Ateeq, Mohammad Saddiq, Dr Wajid Ali, Amir Mumtaz and a large number of traders attended the meeting.

Hasnain Khurshid urged the government to extend the cash-on-counter facility for next six months to carry out smooth trade with Afghanistan and onward regional countries.

He said that declaration policy should be implemented in letter and spirit at borders in light of the decision of State Bank of Pakistan. He also called for implementation of the government’s decision regarding increasing the number of export items to Afghanistan from four to 16.

Ziaul Haq Sarhadi said that Azakel dry port should be made functional. He also demanded restoration of Goods in Transit to Afghanistan (GITA) service and re-launch of cargo train Peshawar.

Imtiaz Ahmad Ali informed the meeting that government through State Bank of Pakistan had issued a notification regarding declaration of dollars at the border.

However, he said that some commercial banks were reluctant to implement the decision and using delaying tactics that caused difficulties to traders on both sides of the border.

He said that a proper coordination system should be developed between relevant government institutions, particularly the ministry of commerce, State Bank of Pakistan and Federal Board of Revenue to implement policies, orders and trade-facilitation initiatives in letter and spirit.

The deputy director of State Bank responded to various queries of the business community and said that export to Afghanistan policy was in its final stage that would be implemented shortly.

Published in Dawn, February 4th, 2022