Ashrafuddin Pirzada
PESHAWAR: President Frontier Custom Agents Association (FCAA), Zia-ul-Haq Sarhadi while welcoming the crossing of the first-ever China cargo for Afghanistan via the Khunjerab border, has termed a good omen for enhancing trade in the region.
In a press statement issued here, President FCAA said it was really heartening to know that Afghanistan-bound China goods have started crossing through Pakistan.
This development, Zia added, would not only increase the volume of trade at the regional level but would also create a large number of livelihood opportunities for people associated with customs clearance, goods transportation, fuel business, daily wagers etc.
It merits an insertion here that Pakistan Customs has recently facilitated the first-ever cargo from China to Afghanistan via the Khunjerab border under the Transports Internationaux Routiers (TIR) Convention, which provides an easy & economical route for trade between countries across the world.
The first consignment started its journey from Kashgar, China and after crossing over to Pakistan via the Khunjerab pass it will reach Kabul in Afghanistan.
“This transit route will reduce the travel time to almost 70% and is also economical as it is expected to reduce the logistics costs by more than 30%,” Zia opined.
He said presently flow of bilateral and transit trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan is not up to mark and the inclusion of China cargo in the business will improve commercial activities in the region.
A large number of custom clearing agents who have lost their earnings due to the shrinking of business will get new opportunities for the revival of lost earnings, he added.
Zia Sarhadi who also holds the office of Director of the Pak-Afghan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PAJCCI), said the utilization of the silk route by China for transportation of its cargo goods to Afghanistan will also prove beneficial for the early operationalization of gigantic CEPC project.
He appreciated the efforts made by Pakistan Customs to facilitate the clearance of Afghanistan-bound China goods through the Sost border under the Transports Internationaux Routiers (TIR) Convention.
Operationalization of TIR along with QTTA and other regional transit and trade arrangements like OBOR and CAREC corridors can help Pakistan become a major hub of trade and transit, he hoped.
