The federal government has decided to establish border markets in the border areas with Afghanistan and Iran. In this regard, the premier has tasked the commerce ministry to complete necessary requirements for the establishment of border market as the markets will facilitate dwellers of the entire region to perform trade.

Sources told the media that the matter of forming those markets would soon be raised with the governments of Iran and Afghanistan.

It is pertinent to mention that the markets will be established at specific locations in the border regions with the two countries, and those specific spots will be identified by the provincial governments of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan.

The border fencing and smuggling across the borders has been affecting trade activities in the region, and the government also planned to take security agencies, customs and the NADRA into confidence for carrying out the task.

Pakistan and Malta have agreed to increase high level interactions for further strengthening of bilateral cooperation in diverse fields.

The understanding came at the Inaugural round of Pakistan-Malta Bilateral Political Consultations in the Maltese capital Valletta, a Foreign Office statement said on Saturday. Special Secretary Dr Aman Rashid represented Pakistani side while the Maltese side by its Director-General Political and EU Affairs Ms. Maria Camilleri Calleja.

The two sides discussed the whole spectrum of bilateral relations including political, economic, education, and people-to-people contacts. They expressed their mutual desire to increase high-level interactions for further strengthening of bilateral cooperation.

The Special Secretary briefed the Maltese side on the political and economic developments in Pakistan, including the recent positive changes in economic outlook and Ease of Doing Business.

News Network International