PESHAWAR, Aug 7: Pakistan-Afghan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PACCI) chairman Senator Ilyas Ahmad Bilour has stressed the need for promoting industrial and trade activities between Pakistan and Afghanistan to contain the growing trend of extremism in the region.

In a statement issued here on Tuesday, Mr Bilour, who is also member of the Pakistan-Afghan peace jirga, welcomed the proposal for setting up reconstruction opportunities zones in tribal areas to generate commercial activities. He urged the US government to play its role in pormoting peace in the region.

He said the NWFP business community had fully participated in the reconstruction of Afghanistan and extended warm hospitality to their Afghan brethren for decades.

Now, Mr Bilour said, it was the responsibility of the Afghan government to facilitate trade and industry in the province and provide better trade opportunities through the PACCI.—APP