PESHAWAR: Pak-Afghan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PAJCCI) has lauded transportation of fruit from Pakistan to Russia and demanded effective measures to enhance trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

“Sending citrus in 16 trucks of National Logistic Cell (NLC) from Pakistan to Russia is very good news for businessmen of the country. It would open new vistas of trade and commerce in the region,” said Ziaul Haq Sarhadi, the provincial coordinator of PAJCCI, in a statement here on Wednesday.

He said the centuries-old road link between Sub-Continent and Central Asian Republics (CARs) via Afghanistan had great potential which if tapped would prove very valuable for the country from commerce point of view. “It will create hundreds of thousands of livelihood opportunities in the region,” he added.

Mr Sarhadi said that those 16 trucks of NLC carried citrus from Sargodha district in Punjab and reached Russia, passing through three different countries and covering a distance of around 6,000 kilometres.

He said that such initiatives needed continuation and apart from fruit other items could also be sent to Russia by facilitating business community of the country. He said that trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan was on decline during the last several months owing to different hurdles including condition of visa for drivers and cleaners.

He said that government should take measures for removing hurdles to Pak-Afghan trade and provide facilities to enhance trade with CARs and Russia. He said that he also presented a suggestion about issuance of special passes after security clearance by relevant departments to truck drivers, allowing them to carry goods between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

“Obtaining visa for driver and cleaner and its renewing after few months expiry is a cumbersome procedure,” said Mr Sarhadi. He added that promotion of trade was need of the hour, keeping in view high prices and economic recession in the country.

Through promotion of commerce and trade, livelihood opportunities can be created to benefit a large number of people, who are hardly pressed by the prevailing economic slump.

He urged Ministry of Commerce to hold consultations with business community for promotion of trade with Afghanistan, CARs and Russia.

Published in Dawn, March 14th, 2024