Afghanistan Times
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KABUL – Afghanistan’s export numbers have surged to a staggering $6 billion, raising concerns in Pakistan. Pakistan’s Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce revealed this information during a session with Pakistani senators in the Senate Standing Committee on Commerce on Monday. While Pakistan exports have reached approximately $1 billion, its imports from Afghanistan have skyrocketed to $6 billion in recent years, creating a substantial trade imbalance.
Pakistani authorities have conveyed their concerns and provided statistics to the Afghan government. Pakistan government has implemented various measures, including prohibiting certain items and imposing a 10% processing fee on sensitive goods through the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) as a means to mitigate the trade imbalance.
Essential commodities are exempt from these measures, and ongoing collaboration with Taliban authorities is underway. Additionally, the Pakistani government now requires a bank guarantee for Afghan imports, aligning with Afghan authorities’ requirements for Pakistani products transiting through Afghanistan to Central Asian republics.
Despite these challenges, Pakistani officials claim they are committed to supporting Afghan Transit Trade and promptly shares comprehensive statistics with the Afghan side. Policy decisions have been made, and the focus now is on effective enforcement on the ground.
