Easing visa restrictions for Afghan traders, students to travel Pakistan a milestone; NA Speaker

ISLAMABAD, Feb 17,2022 – Speaker National Assembly Asad Qaiser has said that enhancing trade and commerce relations with Afghanistan is among the top priorities of the incumbent Government. The Government is utilizing all resources to remove impediments hindering the smooth trade and peoples’ movement across the border, he added.

He expressed these views while addressing the Stakeholders’ meeting organized by Pakistan Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce (PAJCCI) in Islamabad today.

The Speaker Asad Qaiser said that connecting people, building peace and promoting cooperation between Afghanistan and Pakistan was in the best interest of both the countries. While apprising about the implementation of the recommendations of the Executive Committee of the Pak-Afghan Parliamentary Friendship Group, the Speaker said that numerous steps had been taken to resolve transit and bilateral trade issues with Afghanistan.

Asad Qaiser said that the Executive Committee had played commendable role in strengthening Pak-Afghan transit trade. Tariff barriers and procedural impediments in mutual and Afghan Transit Trade have been removed, facilitation on borders for visitors and trading community had been ensured besides easing visa policy for students, visitors and patients, he added. He said that Afghan traders would also be facilitated as it would enhance the overall trade volume with all neighboring countries.

Asad Qaiser said that Pakistan and Afghanistan have mutual interests and challenges that require collective and joint efforts. The Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan was taking keen interest in promoting trade and transit trade with Afghanistan and had also highlighted the issues being faced by the people of Afghanistan on all national and international forums so that the International community could help our Afghan Brethren in this difficult time. He said that Pakistan and Afghanistan have mutual interests and challenges that require collective and joint efforts. He said that the Parliament of Pakistan extends its all-out support to bring peace and stability in Afghanistan. He emphasized United Nations and other International forums to support the Afghan people.

Speaking about the significance of Afghanistan, the Speaker Asad Qaiser said that Afghanistan could serve as a gateway to Central Asia due to its geographical location. The Speaker assured that the remaining issue in the smooth process of trade with Afghanistan would also be resolved as the Executive Committee is closely monitoring the loopholes and working to overcome the same. He said that the government was making all-out efforts to formalize barter trade, resolve border issues, promote transit trade & ease visa policy for progress and welfare of both countries. Speaker appreciated the efforts of PAJCCI to harmonize relations and prioritize trade and economic links between both countries.

The Chairman PAJCCI, applauded the initiatives of Speaker Asad Qasier to strengthen the bilateral ties and trade with Afghanistan. He said that the Parliament of Pakistan has played its role in the expansion of Pakistan’s trade and investment ties with Afghanistan and the world.