LAHORE: After the fall of Kabul to Taliban, despite uncertainty,Pak-Afghan bilateral trade has astronomically increased by 50 percent last week thus heralding for further boosting trade volume between two neighbouring Muslim countries.
It was stated by Mian Kashif Ashfaq,life member SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry while talking to a delegation of exporters led by Muhammad Kashif Butt.He said bilateral trade saw a sudden rise since Taliban took control of Afghanistan which he added is picking up gradually day by day.He said significant increase was witnessed in the number of cargo vehicles and pedestrians traffic across the western borders.
Mian Kashif Ashfaq said earlier pak Afghan trade was in jeopardy due to Indian influence and Pakistan was neglected without any plausible reasons but now the situation is altogether changed.He said joint ventures in various sectors of economy will restore the confidence of local and foreign investors.
He said it’s good omen that Taliban regime also abolished tax of Afghani Rs 40000 per Pak truck entering Afghanistan and also made easy clearance to boost trade between two Muslim states besides stamping out menace of corruption at all boarder crossing points.
Mian Kashif Ashfaq said Pak export to Afghanistan fell 5.5 percent from $790 m to $746m during the last nine months of fiscal year 2021 which he added will now shoot up because trade with India is so far banned.He said Afghanistan is good market for Pak products and fair trade will also to do away with smuggling which inflicted damage to Pak economy.
He said in 2012 the bilateral trade between the two countries had reached to $3 billion but later due to security and political reasons it dropped to $1 billion, but now it was again on the rise.
