Pakistan Seeking to Promote Cross-Border Trade with Afghanistan and Iran

Malik Abdul Wali Khan Kakar, the governor of Balochistan, said on Monday that the government is striving to promote cross-border trade with Afghanistan and Iran.

The governor of Balochistan stressed that expanding the border trade will eradicate poverty in the Balochistan state of Pakistan.

“Talking to a delegation of Qilla Saifullah led by Nawabzada Mehboob Jogezai in Quetta on Monday, he said poverty from Balochistan can be eradicated by expanding the border trade,” he said as Radio of Pakistan reported. 

“The opening of new trade routes at Taftan, Chaman, Nushki, Badini and Qamar Din points will increase Balochistan’s economic and commercial activities,” he added.

Recently, both sides’ officials said that Afghanistan and Pakistan officials have agreed to boost trade along their border amid a surge in attacks on Pakistani security forces. 

Acting Foreign Minister, Muttaqi, with his counterpart Foreign Minister of Pakistan Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, inked a deal to boost border trade, Zardari said.

The agreement is designed to improve bilateral trade, combat “terrorism”, and boost bilateral ties.

Shahbaz Sharif, the prime minister of Pakistan, and Ebrahim Raisi, the president of Iran, jointly opened two important projects near the border this week, signalling a positive turn in relations.

The new Polan-Gabd Electricity Transmission Line would alleviate the region’s energy shortage by illuminating the Pakistani port city of Gwadar and its adjacent territories. Despite lengthy delays, the facility was finally finished in time for the ceremony marking the border.

Boosting cross-border trade can improve the relationships among the three neighbouring countries amid tensions in Pakistan Balochistan province.

According to the governor of Balochistan of Pakistan, boosting cross-border trade can improve cooperation among the three countries and eliminate poverty in hit violent province of Balochistan.