Balochistan traders seek relief amid policy disruption

Mandokhail urges swift action on EIF exemption issue, highlighting trade disruption in Balochistan.

QUETTA:

Chairman of the Pakistan-Iran Business Council of FPCCI, Asfandyar Khan Mandokhail, has urged Federal Minister of Commerce and Trade, Jam Kamal Khan, to address challenges arising from the expiry of the Balochistan High Court's stay on Electronic Import Form (EIF) exemption for traders on October 16, 2024.

Mandokhail noted that the longstanding trade practices with Iran, involving both Iranian and non-Iranian origin goods, have been disrupted, causing severe hardships to traders who have operated through legal channels for decades. "The abrupt halt has created significant economic distress for Balochistan's business community," he lamented.

While interim relief has been granted for traders of non-Iranian goods whose cargo entered Pakistan before October 16, Mandokhail argued that this measure falls short.