PESHAWAR - Pakistan has announced the abolition of a tough condition for bilateral trade in fruits and vegetable with Afghanistan, meeting a key demand of businessmen from both countries.
Production of the quarantine certificate by fruit and vegetable merchants had adversely affected trade in the items via the Torkham border, a top administrator of the Khyber tribal region said.
Political Agent Political Agent Islamzeb Khan hoped the move would boost bilateral trade, which has sharply plunged in recent years due to strained diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The annual volume of bilateral trade, which stood at $2.3 billion in 2015-16, nosedived to $800 million by the end of 2017, inflicting losses on businesspeople and sparking protests on both sides of the Durand Line.
The decision was announced during a visit by Peshawar Corps Commander Lt Gen Nazir Ahmad Butt to the Torkham border on Tuesday. He was accompanied by Frontier Corps Inspector General Maj Gen Waseem Ashraf.
The corps commander was briefed steps to be taken to step up trade with Afghanistan and facilities to be provided to traders of both countries and the Afghans coming to Pakistan via Torkham.
Concrete walls constructed in front of local markets would be removed to facilitate the movement of local traders to the Customs and political administration offices, the official said.
Also on Tuesday, local shopkeepers and traders staged a protest against the suspension of power supply, shortage of drinking water, poor sanitation and imposition of illegal taxes by the political administration. (Pajhwok)