KARACHI: Pakistan's exports to Afghanistan in September amounted to about $80 million. Imports from there amounted to $125 million. The total bilateral trade in September 2021 stood at around $1.83 billion. Pakistan exported goods worth about $859 million and its imports were recorded at around $976 million. Therefore, the balance of trade is tilted in favor of a country that is under international sanctions and has been going through war for four decades. Despite higher coal imports from Afghanistan since earlier this year, bilateral and Afghan transit trade through Pakistan has fallen the most in history, largely due to the cold bureaucracy and rampant corruption from Karachi to borders like Torkham, Chaman, and Ghulam Khan.

A decade ago, Pakistan's trade with Afghanistan exceeded $3 billion, mostly in Pakistan’s favor. But in recent months it has fallen below $1 billion – largely due to our own mistakes, isn't it sad that Pakistan is facing a trade deficit with neighboring Afghanistan?  For its foresight and to end corruption within Pakistan, the predatory bureaucracy has deprived the country of investment opportunities by big Afghan businessmen, even if those living here on long-term visas are unable to open and operate bank accounts. Most of this potential investment shifted to the United Arab Emirates and Turkiye. It also means that investment and employment opportunities will be lost for Pakistanis.

According to informed sources; Afghan businessmen and investors own, partner, or shareholding at least 350 industrial units in Pakistan. After the Taliban's return to power in August 2021, if the bureaucracy had a vision for development and investment, Pakistan could have attracted millions of dollars of investment. The lack of such a vision and lack of facilities attracted many Afghan investors to the UAE, Turkiye, China, and elsewhere. Millions of dollars were transferred through cash and banking channels via Pakistan but we failed to encourage Afghan traders to park that money here. Obstacles created by Pakistani authorities such as increasing various taxes on seasonal fruits i.e. increasing import duties are common. It is used as a bargaining chip for on-the-spot bribery to block formal channels of taxation. In this way, they ensure personal benefits, deny state income, and in a way punish Afghan traders and farmers.

In this regard, Dr. Ghulam Nayab, former Commercial Attaché at the Consulate General of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, made a bold effort to help the traders who were suffering from problems during the covid-19 era. On this occasion, Dr. Ghulam Nayab spoke to the representatives of the Government of Pakistan and requested them to resolve the problems faced by Afghan businessmen immediately so that transit and bilateral trade between the two countries could be improved and cooperation could be offered in resolving these serious situations, but all in vain, the sources added.

Published in The Daily National Courier, January, 21 2023

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