QUETTA: President of the Quetta Chamber of Commerce and Industry Balochistan, Haji Muhammad Ayub Miriani, has said that following the closure of the Afghan transit route, there should be no delay in identifying alternative trade routes to prevent the loss of export orders worth millions of dollars. He also called for timely facilitation from banks to support trade through these alternative routes.
Speaking to business representatives at the Chamber, he said that deteriorating relations with Afghanistan and the closure of the Afghan route have made the urgent search for alternate international trade corridors essential. He said exploring options such as neighboring Iran and other routes is encouraging, as discussed in several meetings between the Ministry of Commerce, the State Bank of Pakistan, and traders.
He stressed that banking support is crucial for trade through any new route, as bilateral trade cannot grow or stabilize without proper financial channels. Any delay, he warned, would further harm Pakistan’s trade sector.
He added that a high-level meeting is scheduled for next week, in which Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is expected to meet the business community. Miriani said that a large population in Balochistan depends on border and barter trade, and recent tensions with Afghanistan have jeopardized their livelihoods. He emphasized the need to promote legal trade across the country and the province so people can earn a dignified livelihood.
He reiterated that the Quetta Chamber of Commerce and Industry will continue its efforts to promote legal trade and will leave no stone unturned in this regard.
