Our Correspondent
Peshawar
Pak-Afghan trade has significant geo-political and economic importance not only for Pakistan and Afghanistan but also for the South Asian region.
This was stated by Muhammad Shehzad Arbab, Adviser to Prime Minister on Establishment while addressing a one day international conference on Pak-Afghan Trade: Achieving regional Peace through trade jointly organised by Institute of Management Sciences (IMSciences) & Regional Forum for Peace & Development (RFPD) at IMSciences Peshawar.
Mr. Shehzad Arbab also mentioned that present Government is very keen to increase the volume of trade with Afghanistan for achieving regional peace and prosperity.
He mentioned that Prime Minister Imran Khan has instructed relevant departments to ensure Torkham border remain open 24/7 to facilitate traders of both sides and encourage trade developmental activities which will bring prosperity in the region.
Prior to this Mr. Jiang Han, Political Counselor at Chinese Embassy in Pakistan at Islamabad while speaking on the occasion mentioned that China is keenly interested in development of Pakistan-Afghanistan Trade activities for the betterment of regional peace & economic development.
Mr. Jiang Han also mentioned that active participation of Pakistan’s Prime Minister in 2nd BRI international Summit last week in China shows that China & Pakistan are keenly interested in peaceful development of economic activities to achieve prosperity in the region.
He informed the participates that recently held 2nd International BRI Summit was attended by 40 Heads of States & international organizations apart from 6000 representatives from 150 countries and 92 international organization, the Chinese diplomat also mentioned that CEO Conference on the occasion signed more than USD 64 Billion worth project cooperation agreement which shows the economic & commercial worth of this international event.
In his opening remarks Dr. Muhammad Mohsin Khan, Director IM Sciences said the trade volume between Pakistan and Afghanistan has decreased in the last few years from USD 2.2 billion in 2012-13 to USD 1.5 Billion in 2017-18, this is very serious and need to take steps for the improvement of trade activities both sides of the border in the larger interest of both countries and region.
Dr. Mohsin Khan also mentioned that, notwithstanding, the material benefits, trade also ensure people to people contact and hence result in many desirable social outcomes such as peace, mutual trust and enhanced cooperation among the trade partners. Moreover; trade interdependence make wars and conflicts expensive and hence it helps in maintaining peace at the borders.
