By Our Correspondent
Islamabad: The Chairman of the Senate Functional Committee on Underdeveloped Areas, Agha Shah Zeb Durani, has emphasized that no barriers to legal trade in the country, particularly in Balochistan, are acceptable. During a recent meeting in Islamabad, Durani addressed the concerns arising from a 2016 circular issued by the State Bank of Pakistan, which made the electronic import form mandatory for cross-border trade. The circular has had significant negative impacts on the import and export sectors.
Durani called for a collaborative effort among the Ministry of Commerce, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), and the State Bank of Pakistan to resolve the issues arising from the circular, including the thousands of stranded cargo trucks. He instructed officials to report back to the committee on the progress of this matter within one week.
The meeting, held at the Senate Secretariat in Islamabad, was attended by Senator Manzoor Khan Kakar, Senator Dinesh Kumar, Mari Qazi, senior officials from federal departments, the Deputy Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan, and other members of the committee.
During the meeting, Haji Akhtar Kakar, Senior Vice President of the Quetta Chamber of Commerce and Industry, explained that the circular had led to a halt in imports and exports from Balochistan after the Balochistan High Court had initially granted a stay order on the circular. However, the court later dismissed the constitutional petitions, stating that the judiciary cannot issue orders in matters of policy-making. Consequently, legal trade in the province was severely impacted. Although the Ministry of Commerce granted a 45-day exemption from the circular, numerous cargo containers remain stuck, further disrupting trade.
Kakar also raised the issue of border markets with neighboring countries, advocating for the establishment of a border market in Chaman where people could carry up to $500 to $1,000. He stressed that such initiatives could improve trade relations with neighboring countries.
Chairman Durani supported Kakar’s suggestion, noting the importance of setting up border markets, which could have a positive impact on legal trade. He urged the relevant authorities to address the issues caused by the 2016 circular and to report back on the progress.
