By Zabihullah Jahanmal
The Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industries (PAJCCI) on Monday said that the closure of gates between the two nations has had a negative impact on Pakistan’s trade and economic reputation on the international platform.
According to PAJCCI, Pakistan’s decision to close trade access across the Durand Line has also resulted in major revenue losses for Pakistan.
But Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday ordered the immediate re-opening of Torkham, Spin Boldak and other gates that were closed in the aftermath of recent “terrorist” attacks in the country, Pakistani media reported.
The crossing between the two countries remained closed for thirty days.
“We believe that the decision to close the border was not in the interests of either side including us and Pakistan,” said Afghan ambassador to Pakistan Hazarat Omar Zakhelwal.
PAJCCI states however that in the past month, millions of dollars was lost just in fresh fruit and vegetable wastage after the closure of gates prevented Pakistan from exporting through Afghanistan on to central Asia.
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