Latest news with #PAJCCI
Business Recorder
11-08-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
PAJCCI for policy review to boost Afghan transit trade
PESHAWAR: Senior Vice President (Pak-Afghan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PAJCCI) Zia-ul-Haq Sarhadi has urged the government to reassess its Afghan transit trade policy following a significant shift of trade volumes to other international routes. In a press statement here on Sunday, Sarhadi who is also Executive Member Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) and President Frontier Custom Agents Association said that shifting of large portion of Afghan transit trade from Karachi port to port of other regional countries is a matter of serious concern for business community and policy makers as well. Zia said the volume of bilateral trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan has reduced to less than one billion dollar which was more than two billion dollars around of couple of years earlier. Making a comparison with regional countries, Zia said the trade volume between Afghanistan and Iran has touched the figure of around five billion dollars on annual basis. In the past, import to Afghanistan was more dependent Via Karachi port, but strict restrictions on Afghan transit cargo, especially in recent years, caused diversion of over 60 percent of transit from Karachi to regional countries, he claimed. He gave the example of Khaf Herat railway track between Iran-Herat city Afghanistan where 100 wagons loaded with commercial cargo arrive from Iran to Rozanak station on daily basis bringing around 40,000 tonnes of goods on monthly basis. Sarhadi also demanded segregation of politics from trade to avoid closure of Pak-Afghanistan borders on basis of disputes on political and other petty issues. He said in the recent past, Torkham border remained closed for more than one month over dispute of picket construction at zero point. Trade cessation due to border closure not only inflicted huge losses on business community of both Pakistan and Afghanistan but also compelled Afghan businessmen to search for alternative route of trade in the region, he added. SVP PAJCCI reiterated his request of review of Pak-Afghan trade policy to keep the commercial activities continue and flourish for the benefit of hundreds of thousands of people on both sides of the border.
Business Recorder
28-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
PAJCCI hails Pakistan-Afghanistan PTA
PESHAWAR: Pak-Afghan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PAJCCI) has welcomed signing of Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) between Pakistan and Afghanistan aimed at increasing bilateral trade through reduction in tariffs on different items. 'PTA signing is a very welcoming development in regard with enhancing trade between the two brotherly neighbouring countries, but for increasing commerce and trade at regional level, both the countries should have to take a further step of signing Free Trade Agreement (FTA),' observed Zia-ul-Haq Sarhadi, Senior Vice President PAJCCI. In a statement here on Sunday, Zia Sarhadi who is also Executive Member Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) said agreements for enhancing bilateral and regional trade is the need of the hour for overcoming the economic crisis faced by the country. It merits a mention here that Pakistan and Afghanistan on Wednesday have signed the much-awaited Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA). According to this agreement, Pakistan will reduce tariffs on four items including grapes, pomegranates, apples, and tomatoes. Afghanistan will reduce tariffs on four items including mangoes, oranges, bananas, and potatoes. Previously, the tariffs on these items were over 60%, but will now be reduced to 27%. This one-year agreement will come into effect on August 1, 2025. It can be extended in the future and additional items may also be included. SVP PAJCCI expressed the hope that PTA signing will increase import and export in both the countries, benefiting thousands of people on both sides of the border. He appreciated the decision and said such a prudent approach should help in overcoming economic problems being faced by people in both the countries. Zia Sarhadi expressed the hope that both Pakistan and Afghanistan will soon agree on signing of FTA for tapping the trade potential between the two countries and for boosting trade at regional level. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
27-07-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Chamber decries hurdles to trade with Kabul
Trucks loaded with supplies wait to cross into Afghanistan at the Friendship Gate crossing point, in the Pakistan-Afghanistan border town of Chaman. PHOTO: REUTERS/FILE Listen to article The Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PAJCCI), led by Chairman Muhammad Zubair Motiwala, has welcomed the signing of a preferential trade agreement (PTA) between the two countries earlier this week. Formalised by Pakistan's Commerce Secretary Jawad Paul and Afghanistan's Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce Mullah Ahmadullah Zahid, this agreement reduces tariffs on key agricultural commodities such as Afghanistan's grapes, pomegranates, apples and tomatoes and Pakistani mangoes, oranges, bananas and potatoes from over 60% to 27%, with a special 22% rate for tomatoes and potatoes. "PAJCCI acknowledges this progress, which builds on discussions held in a meeting of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) on December 17, 2024. This milestone reflects our longstanding demands, pursued through consistent efforts and reinforced during the SIFC meeting, marking a significant step towards enhancing trade," the chamber said in a statement on Saturday. Despite the encouraging step, PAJCCI President Junaid Makda remained concerned about persistent challenges hindering bilateral and transit trade, which declined from $2.5 billion at its peak to $1.2 billion in 2024. "As outlined in our recent letter to Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, these issues include the lack of a consistent, long-term trade policy from the Ministry of Commerce and the State Bank of Pakistan, creating uncertainty among traders and discouraging investment," he said. Payment disputes, driven by banking inefficiencies, have led to undue pressure from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on legitimate businesses, which impacted traders' confidence. Temporary Electronic Import Form waivers, without a permanent system, complicate trade planning while delays in visa issuance for Afghan businessmen are highly discouraging, and streamlining the process could foster greater economic collaboration, the chamber said. The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government's infrastructure development cess, though reduced to 1%, continues to burden transit trade, which is contrary to international commitments and diverts some trade to routes like Chahbahar, Iran.
Business Recorder
26-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
PAJCCI welcomes Pak-Afghan PTA
KARACHI: The Pakistan Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PAJCCI), under the leadership of Chairman Muhammad Zubair Motiwala, warmly welcomed the signing of the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) between Pakistan and Afghanistan on July 23, 2025. Formalized by Pakistan's Commerce Secretary Jawad Paul and Afghanistan's Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce Mullah Ahmadullah Zahid, this agreement reduces tariffs on key agricultural goods such as Afghan grapes, pomegranates, apples, and tomatoes, and Pakistani mangoes, oranges, bananas, and potatoes from over 60% to 27%, with a special 22% rate for tomatoes and potatoes. PAJCCI acknowledges this progress, which builds on discussions from the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) meeting on December 17, 2024. This milestone reflects PAJCCI's long-standing demands, pursued through persistent efforts and reinforced during the SIFC meeting, marking a significant step toward enhanced bilateral trade. Despite this encouraging step, PAJCCI President Juanid Makda remains concerned about persistent challenges hindering bilateral and transit trade, which has declined from $2.5 billion at its peak to $1.2 billion in 2024. As outlined in our recent letter to the Minister of Interior, Mohsin Naqvi, these issues include the lack of a consistent, long-term trade policy from the Ministry of Commerce (MoC) and State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), creating uncertainty for traders and discouraging investment. Payment disputes, driven by banking inefficiencies, have led to undue pressure from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on legitimate businesses, affecting trader confidence. Temporary Electronic Import Form (EIF) waivers, without a permanent system, complicate trade planning, while delays in visa issuance for Afghan businessmen are highly discouraging, streamlining the process could foster greater economic collaboration. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government's Infrastructure Development Cess (IDC), though reduced to 1%, and continues to burden transit trade, contrary to international commitments, diverting some trade to routes like Chabahar, Iran. Statutory Regulatory Orders (SROs) from October 2023, including a 10% processing fee on Afghan goods, have significantly reduced trade volumes, despite recent relaxations. Frequent Torkham border closures due to security and administrative issues further challenge cross-border commerce. Makda emphasizes the need for private-sector representation from both chapters (Pakistan & Afghanistan) in the newly formed PTA Implementation Committee, led by MoIC (Afghanistan) and MoC (Pakistan). This committee, with representatives from Customs and Agriculture Ministries meeting monthly, would benefit greatly from PAJCCI's insights as a voice for businesses facing these challenges, ensuring practical and effective solutions. To unlock the $7 billion trade potential, PAJCCI encourages collaborative efforts to develop a long-term trade policy with MoC and SBP, streamline payment processes to resolve FIA concerns, establish a permanent EIF waiver system, simplify visa processes for Afghan Businessman, exempt transit trade from IDC, digitize trade processes through SBP and Pakistan Single Window (PSW), and review restrictive SROs. Under the leadership of Chairman Muhammad Zubair Motiwala and Co-Chairman Khan Jan Alokozai PAJCCI remains committed to working with the SIFC, MoC, Ministry of Interior, and SBP, and to address these challenges and strengthen Pakistan's role as a vital trade hub for Afghanistan and Central Asian Republics. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
23-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
PAJCCI greets new visa policy for Afghan drivers
PESHAWAR: Senior Vice President Pak-Afghan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PAJCCI) Zia-ul-Haq Sarhadi has welcomed the decision of Pakistan government of introducing a one year multiple entry visa for Afghan drivers to boost cross border trade. In a bid to enhance bilateral trade and streamline border management, Pakistan has recently announced this policy of granting Afghan drivers and transporters one-year multiple entry visas. 'The step taken by the government would help in reducing the hindrances in Pak-Afghan trade and transit trade by facilitating passage of good laden trucks between the two countries,' Zia commented. Sarhadi who is also Executive Member Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) also made some suggestions of making the new policy more practical and long lasting. He said before this policy, the government had decided to issue TAD-1 documents for Afghan drivers, with one year validity. Initially the visa fee for TAD was set at $100, but then it later it increased creating problems for drivers and traders. He said measures should be taken to ensure implementation of a fixed fee for the new visa issuance policy and drivers should not be compelled to pay additional amounts. He also suggested setting up a desk at Torkham border point for visa issuance and renewal for drivers and cleaners. He recalled the issuance of ''Red Pass' by the Pakistan government in late 80's to people associated with Pak-Afghan trade who keep on travelling across the border for business purposes. Revival of Red Pass policy will also help in expediting cargo travelling procedure and timing in Pak-Afghan trade, Zia opined. He said visiting drivers to embassies for application submission and other formalities will be time consuming and may cause delay in transportation of import-export bound goods between the two countries. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
