QCCI urges govt to reopen Pak-Afghan border

The Quetta Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCI) urged the federal and provincial governments to reopen trade activities at Chaman border as the closure was affecting the Balochistan economy and Afghan Transit Trade.

“The border closure for months has affected the economic future of the people associated with trade and industry, import and export as well as the service-based industry. These sectors are on the verge of disaster,” said QCCI President Ghulam Farooq Khilji in a joint statement issued by QCCI Senior Vice President Badruddin Kakar, Vice President Dawood Khilji and others on Tuesday.

He added the closure of Chaman border raised questions on the future of exports and imports in the province.

In the statement, the QCCI lamented over shifting 25 per cent Afghan Transit Trade to Iran border and accused the government of the switch due to non-serious attitude of delay in restoration of trade activities on the border.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 10^th, 2020.