PAJCCI welcomes China’s efforts to mediate in resolving disputes between Pakistan-Afghanistan

PAJCCI Welcomes China’s Efforts To Mediate In Resolving Disputes Between Pakistan-Afghanistan

PAJCCI welcomes China's efforts to mediate and play a positive role in resolving the disputes between Afghanistan and Pakistan. According to Zia-ul-Haq Sarhadi, Senior Vice President of the Pak-Afghan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PACCI), the business community wholeheartedly supports this initiative.

Sarhadi, also President of Frontier Custom Agents Association (FCAA) and Executive Member of Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), stated that China is uniquely positioned to facilitate peace and stability in the region due to its strong ties with both nations.

He highlighted the significant losses incurred by traders, industrialists, transporters, customs agents, and citizens due to the prolonged closure and suspension of trade, transit, and cross-border connectivity between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Sarhadi suggested that any future agreement should include a clause guaranteeing continuous trade and transit, regardless of political conflicts.

He proposed the establishment of a permanent consultative and dispute-resolution mechanism to handle political or security disputes while ensuring legitimate trade activities continue without interruption. China could play a crucial role in this by assisting with a trade and transit guarantee mechanism involving representatives from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and China's private sectors.

Sarhadi emphasized the geographical connection between Afghanistan and Pakistan, noting that Afghanistan serves as a vital gateway to Central Asia. He cautioned that repeated border closures would drive businesses towards alternative routes, urging that valid justifications be required before shutting down trade routes.

He concluded by stating that while political differences are common among neighboring countries, trade should not be victimized by politics, and ordinary citizens and workers should not bear the brunt of these disputes. The business community seeks predictable conditions and continuity in trade.