The Chaman-Spin Boldak border between Pakistan and Afghanistan has on Saturday been opened for trade on the directions of Prime Minister Imran Khan as dozens of trucks crossed over into Afghanistan.

According to the customs officials, more than 50 transit and export trucks and containers have been allowed to enter Afghanistan in first phase after security clearance. Trucks have carried fresh fruits and vegetables to the neighboring country. Pedestrian crossing, however, remains halted.

It is pertinent here to mention that Prime Minister Imran Khan had on Friday given instructions to open the Chaman-Spin Boldak border and let trucks crossover into Afghanistan.

Despite global pandemic of COVID 19, we remain committed to supporting our Afghan brothers and sisters, the premier had said while adding that we remain steadfast with Afghanistan in time of crisis.

Meanwhile, talking to a group of media persons, DC Qillah Abdullah District Muhammad Bashir said the step has been taken as per the agreement concluded with the Afghan authorities.

He said about one hundred and fifty seven containers loaded with food items including vegetables and fresh fruit have been dispatched to Afghanistan.

Pedestrian movement on the border remains suspended.

Earlier, in a tweet, Prime Minister Imran Khan instructed to open the Chaman-Spin Boldak border and let the trucks crossover into Afghanistan.

However keeping in view the outbreak of coronavirus and rising number of cases in Karachi, Chairman Businessmen Group Siraj Kassam Teli, Office Bearers and Managing Committee members of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) have decided to shut down KCCI for one week.

Hence all departments of the Chamber will remain closed from March 24th to March 29th as a precautionary measure to save the public and staff from the life-threatening disease caused by coronavirus.

KCCI will reopen on March 30th, 2020, Monday, with normal office timings, said a press release issued here on Saturday.

Since its inception in 1950, Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) has advocated and voiced the collective opinion, concern and aspiration of the private sector and offered helpful advice and solid assistance to the Government in its efforts to promote exports, encourage foreign investment and stimulate economic activity in the country.

The FPCCI has its fingers on the pulse of the economy and serves as a bridge between the private sector and the Government.

The FPCCI is playing an active role in presenting problems of trade, industry and environment and safeguarding the interests of the private sector through constant dialogue with the Government.

FPCCI has under its umbrella; 59 Chambers of Commerce and Industry, 17 Women’s Chambers of Commerce & Industry, 9 Chambers of Small Traders, 130 All Pakistan Trade Associations, and 7 Joint Chamber of Commerce representing Industry, Trade and Service sectors across Pakistan.

Meanwhile the President Pakistan Businessmen and Intellectuals Forum (PBIF), President All Karachi Industrial Alliance (AKIA), Senior Vice Chairman of the Businessmen Panel of FPCCI and former provincial minister, Mian Zahid Hussain on Friday said coronavirus has started damaging the already fragile economy.

The central banks across the world have been cutting interest rates while the government is offering packages to boost economic activities but the situation in Pakistan is otherwise.

Mian Zahid Hussain said that now K-Electric has started asking the industrial sector for an additional sum of Rs5 billion under the Industrial Support Package Adjustment which should be noticed by Prime Minister Imran Khan as it will bankrupt the industries facing multiple problems.

Talking to the business community, the veteran business leader said that Karachi is supporting millions of people while contributing 50 per cent of the exports and 54 per cent of the indirect taxes which must be spared.

The former minister noted that industrialists are already under pressure and now K-Electric is asking for the electricity consumed July 2019 to December 2019 which is constitutionally and morally wrong as well as illegal.

He said that the global recession has reduced the demand hitting out export sector, therefore, the issue of excessive billion should be settled without delay as milking business community on one pretext or other should be stopped.

News Network International