ISLAMABAD: Commerce Minister Khurram Dastgir has expressed government’s aspiration for 24/7 trade at Pak-China border.
While talking to a delegation of Gilgit Baltistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry, which called on the Minister to express their concerns over border management at the Pak-China border, he recognised the fact that current closure of border routes on weekends is not favourable for promotion of trade.
Sust Post at the Pak-China border stays closed for four months every year apart from the public holidays of both countries. In addition to this, Saturdays and Sundays also see the continual closure of the post. Business community of Gilgit Baltistan complained that these holidays are hampering the free flow of trading vehicles and long queues of trucks are seen at the border by the end of every week.
The closure puts a substantial burden on the traders as it results in enhancing the freight costs. They demanded that the closure of border crossings on weekends is unjustified which results in retardation of trade and discourages the traders to take further commercial pursuits.
The minister said that trade facilitation is the prime responsibility of Ministry of Commerce and whenever and wherever an issue emerges which obstructs the free flow of trade, the ministry will swiftly respond to remove the hurdles. The Minister apprised the businessmen and traders that concerns were already communicated to the Advisor to Finance Ministry and on the directions of the Advisor, the issue is put on the agenda of next Councillors meeting scheduled to be held on 10th June. There is great hope that the outcome of that meeting will bring respite to the traders, he said.
