PESHAWAR: Afghan Consulate Acting Consul General Hafiz Mohibullah Shakir and the Pak-Afghan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PAJCCI) have vowed to launch collective efforts for removal of hindrances in the bilateral trade.

The development came during a meeting, according to press release issued here on Friday. The businessmen were led by director PAJCCI Ziaul Haq Sarhadi.

Second Secretary Consulate General Mufti Noorullah Hotak, commercial attache Waheedullah Himat and protocol officer Shahidullah Zaheer were also present.

Mr Sarhadi, who is also former senior vice-president of Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), apprised the participants about the problems being faced by businessmen dealing in Pak-Afghan trade. He called for restoration of Afghan document, Ilm-o-Khabar, constitution of a liaison committee between the two countries, and resolution of problems faced by exporters, importers and industrialists.

Mr Sarhadi called for steps by the governments of Pakistan and Afghanistan for removal of hindrances in trade between the two countries. He said the bilateral trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan was essential for bringing prosperity in the region, and this goal could be achieved through launching sincere efforts.

On the occasion, the Afghan Consulate officials informed the businessmen about their suggestions and some reservations on unnecessary and unregistered checking points at Torkham border, non-implementation of decision regarding cross stuffing of Afghan transit containers into local containers, and losses incurred by Afghan businessmen under the head of detention charges.

They also expressed reservations over the delay in checking of Afghan transit goods at Karachi seaport, which caused delay in arrival of consignments at their destinations.

Published in Dawn, March 25th, 2023