![Sardar Ahmad Shakib urges Pakistan to resolve trade barriers, border closures, and tariffs to enhance bilateral trade ties. [Image via Tolo News]](https://pkafgyouthforum.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/vlcsnap-2024-12-13-08h12m51s208.webp)
Sardar Ahmad Shakib, the chargé d’affaires of the Afghan embassy in Islamabad, emphasized resolving trade challenges between the two countries during a meeting with the head of the Afghanistan-Pakistan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry and members of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry.
He stated that most of these challenges originate from Pakistan, which has led to a decline in trade between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Afghanistan annually conducts the largest volume of regional trade with Pakistan.
However, due to various issues, the level of trade exchanges between the two countries has significantly decreased this year.
“We outlined some of the reasons to them and emphasized that most of the problems are caused by Pakistan. We have asked Pakistani officials to work towards removing these obstacles. Afghanistan has always sought to create more trade facilitation,” said Sardar Ahmad Shakib.
Also See: Pakistan, Afghanistan Agree to Strengthen Bilateral Relations
Some of the main issues disrupting trade between the two countries include the closure of border crossings such as Torkham, Ghulam Khan, Dand-e-Patan, Angoor Adda, and Kharlachi during Afghanistan’s export season, the halt of more than 4,000 Afghan freight trucks at Karachi port, the imposition of customs tariffs on Afghan export and transit goods by Pakistan, and the demand for temporary entry documents for Afghan vehicles.
Khanjan Alokozai, a member of the board of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment, said about these problems: “The main issues stem from Pakistan’s unhealthy trade policies and increased tariffs. Pakistan repeatedly closes border crossings, raises tariffs, and causes 40% to 50% of ports to remain closed throughout the year.”
“We call on the leadership of the Islamic Emirate and Pakistan to work on resolving port, import, and export problems to strengthen the economies of both countries,” said Omid Haidari, an Afghan trader.
According to statistics from the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment, in the first eight months of this year, Afghanistan exported over $478 million worth of goods to Pakistan and imported over $758 million worth of goods from Pakistan.
This news is sourced from [Tolo News] and is for informational purposes only.
