FBR chief for resolving Pak-Iran border issues

Promises to involve federal govt for necessary intervention at policy level

ISLAMABAD:

Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman Dr Ashfaq Ahmed has assured that all legal barriers to trade with Iran would be lifted so as to initiate the process of reopening the Pak-Iran border and resolve the issues of traders.

He expressed these views in a meeting held with the concerned stakeholders in the province during his visit to the Pak-Iran border town of Taftan on Saturday. He was accompanied by Member Policy Dr Saeed Jadoon, Chief Collector Balochistan Muhammad Sadiq and Collector of Customs Rashid Habib.

The FBR chief was briefed by Maj Asad of the NLC about bilateral trade activities and making Taftan a trading point.

He also visited places adjacent to the border and reviewed commercial activities.

Read: Saudi FM announces 1b riyals in aid to Afghans

He also held an important meeting with the Iranian delegation comprising DG Customs Sistan and Balochistan province, representatives of ministries of commerce, transportation, foreign affairs and border security, who presented a charter of demands.

During the meeting, he assured the Iranian delegation of his full support in strengthening mutual cooperation and promised to involve the federal government in ensuring the required intervention at policy level.

He directed the Chief Collector of Customs to resolve the operational issues on top priority.

Later on, Dr Ahmed also met a delegation of tribal elders led by Mir Ijaz Khan Sanjarani, divisional organiser of Balochistan Awami Party and briefed them about business activities.

During the meeting, it was decided that legal barriers to trade would be removed after a meeting with the Balochistan chief secretary.

He also inaugurated a mosque built on the premises of the customs.

Sanjrani was briefed about the economic difficulties faced in the area due to the closure of Bazaar Chah Gate in Taftan.

Read More: OIC sets up ‘humanitarian fund’ for Afghanistan

On the occasion, local dignitaries Maulvi Najibullah, Haji Sabir Reiki and others also asked some questions.

The FBR chairman said that on the special instructions of Senate Chairman Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani, he visited the border area and personally checked the problems and steps being taken to fix them.

On Thursday, after more than a month of staging protests for their basic rights, the residents of Gwadar had called off their sit-in after successful negotiations with the government.

Their demands ranged from the presence of large fishing trawlers encroaching on their livelihood to a lack of health facilities and reopening of the Pak-Iran border.