PAJCCI suggests steps for trade facilitation at new Pak-Afghan border crossings

KARACHI: Chairman of the Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PAJCCI), Zubair Motiwala, said on Thursday that before opening new border crossings between the two countries, both governments must first develop supportive infrastructure and operational setups, such as trained human resources, security, service areas for transporters and the general public, functional booths for quick clearance, and the provision of electricity.

These policies will facilitate trade while also generating revenue for governments.

We welcome the announcement that additional border crossings will be operationalized for trade and people-to-people movement between Pakistan and Afghanistan, and we hope that the government will make it easier for businesses to do business, particularly with Afghanistan, which is a cost-effective and efficient trading partner.

We are one on both sides of the border, sharing cultural, social, and economic values, as well as the well-being of the masses in border communities who work in border trade areas rather than commuting to large cities with already overburdened infrastructure. This is an important step in improving both countries’ socioeconomic conditions.

He restated the PAJCCI’s March demand that Swat has been a traditional trading partner of Afghanistan, with bilateral trade utilising the Bajaur border, which will be blocked after August 2021 due to Afghanistan’s regime change.

There are four border crossings between Swat and Afghanistan, but the “Nawapass” crossing has infrastructure on both sides and both governments must take steps to open it as soon as possible.

Swat’s trade is suffering as a result of the long route via Torkham, and the local furniture business has suffered greatly because bringing raw materials from Afghanistan via Bajaur was simple and cost effective.

He also urged governments to consider expanding Baluchistan’s border crossings; currently, only one border crossing, Chaman, is operational and bearing the burden, despite the fact that the opportunity is great where CPEC is based and Gwadar port has capacity for transit trade with the rest of the world.

The statement by Muhammad Sadiq, Special Envoy for Afghanistan, to operationalize new border crossings for trade and people-to-people travel between Pakistan and Afghanistan is much appreciated by PAJCCI and the business sector on both sides of the border.

He stated that the Pakistani government has decided to open several more border crossings with Afghanistan in order to facilitate economic activity and people migration.

Arandu, which connects Chitral and Kunar, and Benshahi, which connects Lower Dir and Kunar, are the first two crossings in the series to open.

These border crossings join Torkham, Ghulam Khan, Kharlachi, Angoor Adda, and Chaman-Spin Buldok, which are all completely operational, and one partially opened Dalbandeen crossing.

Several new border crossings would be opened, he said, when the Afghan government agrees and the required arrangements are made.