AFGHANISTAN has been a booming market for exports from Pakistan, consisting of both value added items and food commodities. The balance of trade always remained surplus. Pakistan’s exports included cement, steel, plastic goods, textiles, pharmaceuticals, surgical goods, wheat flour, rice, sugar, meat, poultry, fruits and vegetables. Major items of imports from Afghanistan were fruits, vegetables and livestock, particularly sheep. However, over the past twelve year the quantum of bilateral trade started declining, which touched the lowest ebb from the past few months, disappointing business community of both countries. It has hit hard the exporters and importers of Pakistan in addition to constantly rising prices of fruits and vegetables in the country. The importers of Khyber Pukhtunkhwa and Afghan exporters complain against the road blocks for days each week in addition to collection of illegal and unaccounted for hefty road taxes, which go to private pockets and not to the government exchequer. Such anti-trade practices should stop now.
It is worth appreciation that government has realised to increase the volume of bilateral trade and take it to new heights. Addressing trade and Investment Forum 2020, Prime Minister Imran Khan termed Afghanistan as natural trading partner as the trade relations dates back to Mughal dynasty rule on the Subcontinent. He emphasied an open border policy of bilateral trade would help in wealth creation and bringing prosperity for the people of both countries. The Prime Minister referred to Pakistan persistent efforts for the restoration of peace and stability in Afghanistan and urged the Afghan leadership to come out from the spell of misconception about Pakistan as both countries need to work together for future prosperity of the people. He said lessons must be learnt from the past mistakes to move forward instead of remaining stuck in the past. He cautioned against the negative role of India which is bent upon ruining the growing relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Three main areas of enhancing trade relation were discussed in the two days forum, including transit trade, bilateral trade and informal trade. It is pertinent to mention that bulk of transit trade goods eventually find their way to markets in Pakistan that harm the noncompetitive local industry and cause loss or revenue. Exports to Afghanistan had witnessed boom during 2002-07 because federal government was keen to use bilateral trade as an effective tool of economic diplomacy, making it a cardinal principle of Afghan Policy.
