Ashrafuddin Pirzada
LANDIKOTAL: A joint meeting of the Chamber of Commerce Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Torkham customs agents was held on Sunday and discussed various trade-related issues including the closure of the Pak-Afghan highway at Bagyarri checkpost for the last month.
Figures from the business community, traders, customs agents and members of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chamber of Commerce and Industry attended the meeting.
The event was also attended by notable traders including former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chamber president Haji Zahid Shinwari, key member of the Business forum Elias Bilour Group, Azanfar Bilour, Haji Afzal, Haji Mirwali Shinwari and transport president Azimullah Shinwari.
Haji Zahid Shinwari emphasized the Business forum Elias Bilour Group’s commitment to addressing the issues faced by traders, particularly those from tribal areas. He praised their ongoing efforts to advocate for traders across various platforms. He called on the government to take concrete measures to promote bilateral trade at the Torkham border, pointing out the frustration among traders caused by the frequent closures of the Pak-Afghan Highway.
Shinwari urged higher authorities to take serious notice of the road closures at the Baghiyari checkpost, contrasting it with the consistently open Wahga border and the increasing trade between China and India despite their differences. He lamented that trade with Afghanistan, which amounts to nearly 3 billion dollars, is now at risk.
He appealed to traders to support the Business Forum in the elections scheduled for September 25, receiving strong assurances from attendees.
In closing, Aimal Shinwari thanked all guests for participating in the event.
