Govt urged to take up Afghan tariffs slapped on Pakistani products

PESHAWAR: Though frequent border closures and temporary import bans prove to be irritants, they have not hampered the burgeoning trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan. However, the imposition of new tariffs by Kabul on products manufactured east of the Durand Line have threatened to disrupt trade.



Businessmen in K-P have now urged the government to take up the matter with the Afghan government and resolve all trade issues.

Pakistan exported goods worth $2.5billion in 2011-12. The Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) wants to raise this to $5 billion per year but is facing obstacles from the Afghan government who favour access for India. Goods exported to Afghanistan include medicines, cement, fans, matchsticks and other products.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 1^st, 2018.