Alarmed by a staggering drop in formal trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan from USD 2.5 billion to nearly USD 1 billion, the Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PAJCCI) today declared its intent to launch a unified and cohesive strategy to rescue the dwindling bilateral economic activity. The resolution was passed during the chamber”s 11th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on September 30.
During the meeting, PAJCCI Chairman Mr. Zubair Motiwala underscored the severity of the situation, calling for a consolidated document outlining shared problems. He pressed for a comparative analysis to determine why Afghan merchants are increasingly opting for commerce with China, emphasizing the need to bolster Pakistan”s competitiveness in the region.
Presenting the annual performance review, PAJCCI President Mr. Junaid Makda highlighted the critical need to resolve the Infrastructure Development Cess (IDC) issue with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, which he cited as having a severe impact on commercial flow. He also strongly advocated for a high-level chamber delegation to visit Kabul to directly address pressing matters of visas, tariffs, and trade facilitation.
The grim reality on the ground was detailed by Senior Vice President Mr. Zia-ul-Haq Sarhadi, who reported that container traffic at the Torkham border has plummeted from a high of 6,000-7,000 to just a few hundred, a decline he attributed directly to the IDC. He also voiced concerns over the non-operational NLC terminal and a lack of consultation with the chamber on tariff revisions.
Financial impediments were brought to the forefront by Ex-Officio Mr. Qazi Zahid Hussain, who identified inactive banking channels as a severe challenge. He explained that this policy-level obstacle is obstructing payments from Afghanistan and resulting in the harassment of traders, urging the leadership to escalate the matter with the Ministry of Commerce and the State Bank of Pakistan for an immediate resolution.
The call for a united front was a recurring theme, with Vice President Mr. Pervez Lala strongly endorsing the chairman”s recommendation for both PAJCCI chapters to align on a single, cohesive agenda.
The AGM, chaired by Mr. Motiwala and anchored by Mr. Jawaid Bilwani, also saw the unanimous approval of minutes from previous meetings and the 2024-2025 Audited Financial Statements. The House commended President Junaid Makda for his dedicated efforts and acknowledged the collective contributions of its members, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening regional trade. Mr. Sarhadi was also formally congratulated on being conferred the prestigious Sitara-e-Imtiaz.