Torkham terminal to work 24/7 for increasing Pak-Afghan trade: experts
Bilateral trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan stands at around $2.6 billion a year.
(Web Desk/APP) – Political and financial experts said on Tuesday that the opening of Torkham border round-the-clock between Pakistan and Afghanistan would take the volume of bilateral trade and business to a new height and would expedite pace of economic development between the two countries.
In this regard, the National Logis¬tics Cell (NLC), in coordination with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has completed arrangements for round-the-clock trans-border trade with Afghanistan through Torkham border terminal.
The opening of the border is expected to be formally inaugurated on Wednesday. The terminal has been operating 24/7 on a trial basis and will be formally opened at a ceremony to be held at Torkham.
Ishaq Fuad, former President Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) and leading businessman of Pakistan told APP that the opening of the Tokham border at 24/7 was a landmark and positive decision of Pakistani government.
He said it would help increase bilateral trade and create enormous opportunities of employment for people on both sides of the border. The industries, SMEs and investment sectors in Khyber Pakthunkhwa and Balochistan would be largely benefited from this significant decision and transport sector would help get upward boom in future.
The work to upgrade the terminal began after Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, on his last visit in June, requested Prime Minister Imran Khan to ease trade between the two countries through the border crossing.
Bilateral trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan stands at around $2.6 billion a year.
