ISLAMABAD /DNA/ – Asad Qaiser, Speaker NA and head Pakistan Afghanistan Parliamentary Friendship Group lauded PAJCCI’s role in strengthening ties across the neighboring countries especially during these desperate times. While addressing PAJCCI’s meeting in Islamabad, he stated that continuing B2B momentum is very instrumental to ensure economic prosperity.
Zubair Motiwala; Chairman PAJCCI appreciated Speaker’s keen interest in resolving the issues and felt that his contributions are highly critical. He apprised the house of recent PAJCCI activities, current state & potential of trade with Afghanistan & CARs. He informed that due to business unfriendly SBP policies business community is incurring heavy loses, absence of appropriate barter trade mechanism, investment & joint venture policy, cumbersome visa regime on both sides, lack of cohesive policy and one window operation for trade with Afghanistan is creating obstacles not only on trade with Afghanistan but is further affecting movement to Central Asian States.
He remarked that unless Pakistan adopts clear and long-term trade & economic policy for Afghanistan, barriers will continue to hinder the actual potential of trade. Business community is cognizant of FATF and other international pressures as well as the problems posed by non-recognition of current Afghan regime however, Pakistan needs to act in its national interest by having business friendly policy with its immediate neighbor. GOP needs to take an innovative approach like setting up of bank counters at borders, alternate to USD trading, increasing items in PKR trading category, formation of EXIM bank, acceptance of third party payments like other countries are doing in case of Afghanistan, doing away completely with E Form & EIF, special one window operation for Afghanistan, business friendly visa regime and most specifically instructing SBP to formulate policies by keeping in view that there is no operational banking channel in Afghanistan.
He drew the attention of honorable Speaker for his intervention in taking up the matters with especially with respect to SBP policies, barter trade, undue pressures from FIA, refusal of banks to process payments.
Asad Qaiser while addressing the house said that PAJCCI’s efforts to boost PAK-AF bilateral trade ties and the efforts in bringing issues to the table with stakeholders including both governments are commendable. He said that strong economic relationship with Afghanistan is in the best interest of Pakistan. He highly acknowledged PAJCCI’s role in enhancing trade, economy and revenue for both countries and thanked Zubair Motiwala for his personal efforts in providing actionable insights to GOP and using his business acumen in solving the problems of business community of the both sides. He assured his support in resolving ongoing issues and his role in taking them up to the highest levels.
Shandana Gulzar, MNA and member a Parliamentary Friendship Group said she is pleased to be part of PAJCCI’s efforts and remarked that PAJCCI has done more than any other organization in developing and strengthening economic ties with Afghanistan. She informed the house that in next 10 days a meeting will be called to address the issues related to SBP policies negatively impacting trade & also to deliberate on barter trade mechanism. PAJCCI will be invited as focal body to be part of deliberations and solutions which will be then shared with GOP.
Co-Chairman PAJCCI, Khan Jan Alokozai appreciated the PAJCCI’s efforts in building long term relations viz-a viz B2B, G2G and people to people. He also thanked honorable parliamentarians for the personal interests and efforts in supporting the cause of Afghan people and economy. He informed that current regime in Afghanistan is ready and willing to work with Pakistan in all areas like trade, education, healthcare and mega projects.
Zubair Motiwala also requested Asad Qaiser to use his good offices in setting up Polio Vaccination counters at pedestrian border crossings for Afghan Children. Pakistan is already providing COVID-19 vaccination service to Afghan citizens crossing the borders.
The participants deliberated and agreed upon various matters of interest; increasing trade, barter trade mechanism, formation of one window to trade with Afghanistan, frequent visits to both sides and put forward solutions to be presented to governments by PAJCCI.
PAJCCI has re-affirmed its commitment to continue working for the betterment of not only business community but general public in both countries by actively advocating the economic means providing employment and much needed revenue to both the governments.
The meeting was attended by Afghan delegation, leading Pakistani businessmen, government functionaries & media representatives.
