Clear roadblocks to Pakistan’s trade with Afghanistan: PM

Wants customs posts to work every day, asks FBR to release stranded Afghan containers.

ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf has directed the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to keep open the customs facilitating posts at the Pak-Afghan border seven days a week to ensure non-stop transportation of goods between Islamabad and Kabul.

The prime minister issued the directives in a meeting with the delegation of Pak-Afghan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PAJCCI) at the Prime Minister House on Tuesday.

Ashraf also directed the interior ministry to depute its personnel to ensure that the posts are fully functional at the Pak-Afghan border to facilitate passage of goods across the border.

He also directed the interior ministry to exempt Afghan businessmen travelling to Pakistan on valid visa from the provision of police inquiry.

The importance given to Afghanistan by his government can be measured from the fact that he paid his first official visit to Afghanistan, said the prime minister. “Kabul is the most important capital for Pakistan,” Ashraf said.

In response to a complaint by Afghan businesspersons that 3,000 Afghan containers were stuck up at the Karachi port, the prime minister directed the FBR chairman to release the containers within 10 days. He also directed the FBR to devise a mechanism to promptly clear Afghanistan-bound containers in future.

The prime minister assured the Afghan businessmen that the government would extend them all possible facilities. He, however, urged both Pakistani and Afghan businesspersons to discourage smuggling, so that it benefits business.

The Prime Minister also appreciated the proposal of setting up special economic zone on Pakistan’s side near the Afghan border for manufacture of goods and their export to Afghanistan. Also, he assured the delegation to improve the condition of Quetta-Chaman Road.

He urged private sector of both the countries to prepare a proposal for establishing a Dry Port as well as running train services for transportation of goods between the two countries.

Earlier, Zubair Motiwala, Khan Jan Alokozai, president and co-president of PAJCCI briefed the prime minister about the issues and problems being faced by businesspersons of both the countries.

Motiwala said the trade volume between the two countries was nearly Rs2.5 billion that could be increased further. He drew the attention of the prime minister for rationalisation of tariff to reduce smuggling.

Khan Jan Alokozai, Co-President PAJCCI presented the traditional “chappan” to Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf.

Those who attended the meting include Minister of State for Commerce Abbas Khan Afridi, Secretaries Commerce and Interior, Chairman FBR and senior officials.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 2^nd, 2013.