DERA ISMAIL KHAN/ PAKISTAN: Pakistan last week opened another terminal for trade with Afghanistan, the Badini terminal in Balochistan, an official said on Monday.
Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan Alyani inaugurated the trade terminal in the border area of Badini on Wednesday, with Commander of Southern Command Lt Gen Mohammad Wasim Ashraf, Inspector General of Frontier Corps North Maj Gen Fayyaz Hussain Shah, provincial ministers, legislators and other officials attending the inauguration ceremony.
Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal and other officials pray after inaugurating the Badini trade terminal between Afghanistan’s Zabul province and Qila Saifullah district of Pakistan on September 16, 2020. (Photo courtesy: Quetta Chambers of Commerce and Industries)
“This route has now been opened after our persistent efforts, which tends to create jobs and multiply trade opportunities for people living in border areas where there is no industry and agriculture,” Hajji Akhtar Kakar, member of the Quetta Chambers of Commerce and Industry and chairman Badini Committee, told Arab News on Monday. “It will also minimize traffic pressure on the Chaman border,” he added, referring to another border crossing.
Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal (center) and other officials pose for a photo after inaugurating the Badini trade terminal between Afghanistan’s Zabul province and Qila Saifullah district of Pakistan on September 16, 2020. (Photo courtesy: Quetta Chambers of Commerce and Industries)
“Comparatively, this is the shortest route for vehicles coming from Karachi and Punjab to reach Afghanistan’s Ghazni province and Kabul,” Kakar said. “We have rampant poverty here and most of the youngsters are jobless, so this is a viable option to create work for them.”
A branch of the National Bank of Pakistan and offices of relevant departments would also be set up near the terminal, Kakar said.
Liaquat Shahwani, spokesperson of the government of Balochistan, couldn’t be reached for comment.
Elders pose for a photo after the inauguration ceremony of the Badini trade terminal between Afghanistan’s Zabul province and Qila Saifullah district of Pakistan on September 16, 2020. (Photo courtesy: Quetta Chambers of Commerce and Industries)
Before the outbreak of the coronavirus, trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan stood at roughly $1.2 billion per year, said Faiz Muhammad, executive member of the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, adding that this could be increased to $3.5 billion annually.
Almost 50 percent of Pak-Afghan trade took place through Chaman and 40 percent via Torkham while trade potential via Ghulam Khan in North Waziristan district was yet to be evaluated, Muhammad added.
