LAHORE: The country’s renowned economy watchdog has said that the increased smuggling from Afghanistan and Iran has become a serious threat to industrial expansion in Pakistan.
Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) President Dr Murtaza Mughal, in a statement, said that tensions among Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran should not be allowed to hurt trade and plans to explore central Asia and import energy. He said that Pakistan and Afghanistan are big trade partners despite difference over issues relating to refugees, smuggling of drugs, arms and other things, supporting militants and way to handle terrorism.
Similarly, Pak-Iran trade has a great potential which has been overshadowed by the issue of Indian spy that should be tackled properly. The trade with neighbouring countries continues to face problems like lack of insurance facilities, security risks, taxation issues, weak banking and payment mechanisms, fragile dispute resolution and documentation system, he added.
Dr Murtaza said that Afghanistan is the only bridge for Pakistan to reach central Asia offering limitless opportunities which needs attention of the policymakers. Pakistan exports to Afghanistan comprised 24.4 percent of Kabul’s imports but now it is coming down which can be countered through various steps including a joint economic zone near border, he opined.
