Afghanistan has sought Pakistan’s help in the release of 5,000 containers detained at the Karachi port without a valid reason, causing a loss of $500,000 to Afghan importers each day. Afghan Consul General Syed Muhammad Ebrahim on Sunday said Pakistan should do something about the 5,000 Afghan containers struck at the Karachi port.
He said members of Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI) were upset over the stuck containers and wanted their early release. The consul general was talking to the coordination chairman of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI). He stressed the security and customs officials of the two countries should not hamper bilateral trade for personal gains.
Afghanistan, he said, was willing to issue multiple visas to Pakistani businessmen, adding that there was no visa fee for Pakistani businessmen. “Transparent transit trade deal is in the interest of both countries which remain a challenge. Transit trade should not be misused by either side or offer incentives to smugglers on any side of the divide,” FPCCI Coordination Chairman Raza Khan said. He said the FPCCI was ready to resolve trade disputes between businessmen of the two countries so that bilateral trade could be promoted.