ISLAMABAD: PBIF President Mian Zahid Hussain on Wednesday said terrorism could not be defeated by closing the Pak-Afghan border.
“Terrorism is deep rooted in Pakistan which requires a comprehensive plan and swift execution. Issues like poverty, unemployment, lack of health related facilities, illiteracy and injustices are considered to be some of the major causes of militancy,” he said. Hussain said that exporters on both sides of the divide were facing heavy losses due to the closure of the border.
“Therefore, it is advised that authorities should allow brief opening of the border,” he added. He said that exporters of perishable items were in a fix as their exportable items are rotting while more than two hundred tonnes of sugar, also loaded on containers, was awaiting opening of the trade routes. “Around 3,000 containers that were due to cross Torkham have been stranded in Peshawar, while 2,000 containers have been stuck near the Chaman border,” he said, adding that closure was hurting economic and social ties.
