The export volume of Pakistani products to Afghanistan through Torkham border is continuously increasing. In the first quarter (July-September) of the current fiscal year, the trade volume increased up to $161 million, contributing $2.3 million to the national kitty.

Talking to the media at the Torkham border point, Ziaul Haq Sarhadi, Director of the Pak-Afghan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PAJCCI) and President of Frontier Customs Agents Association, said that easing of trade policies with Afghanistan, construction of a modern terminal at Torkham and operationalisation of Integrated Transit Trade Management System (ITTMS) had contributed to the improved export volume.

He said that the ITTMS project also includes a customs station, baggage scanner, walk-through gate, display centre, warehouse, installation of forks for weighing vehicles, banks, offices of customs clearing and forwarding agents, and import, export, and Afghan transit from Afghanistan. He said the Torkham border crossing would become a hub of trade activities in the region in the future due to the availability of clearance and other facilities for trade goods.

Sarhadi noted that following an agreement with Tajikistan, there would be around 150,000 commercial vehicles’ movement on the border point on a daily basis, which would ultimately promote trade with Afghanistan and Central Asian states and provide employment opportunities to thousands in Pakistan.

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk