16/09/2022
Regional trade not only offers the promise of economic growth but also acts as a cushion against incidents of climate disaster.
Businessmen in Pakistan, hit by the recent flash floods, have urged the government to open trade with India through the Wagah border. The corridor is one of the most efficient trade routes to help with mitigating food insecurity and the economic crisis currently developing.
Businessmen Group (BMG) Chairman, Zubair Motiwala and Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) President, Muhammad Idrees appealed to the government to “immediately allow the import of raw cotton and food items, including vegetables, fruits, grains and other essential products, from India through the Wagah border as Pakistan faces severe shortages caused by the devastating floods.”
The BMG chairman pointed out that “in addition to the devastation caused and losses of up to billions of rupees, a food crisis has also been triggered as agricultural crops, land and livestock have been damaged and remain inundated.”
“Raw cotton, dates, chilies, cauliflower, onions and other fruits and vegetables in Sindh and Balochistan have been destroyed. Therefore, it has become inevitable to open up the Wagah border and allow imports of agricultural crops from India so that our country’s food needs can be met. This offers us supplies within the shortest possible time at competitive rates from our neighbouring country,” he added.