Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ameer Haider Hoti has categorically said that the Afghan-Transit Trade Agreement (ATTA) is not acceptable at cost of single country, adding that the government wants to enhance trade with all neighbouring states, but such agreement would prove meaningless for the business community.
Speaking at inauguration ceremony of the Ilayas Bilour Research & Development Centre here at KP Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KPCCI) on Saturday, he said that the government is focusing for encouragement of trade activities, but those agreements would be strongly opposed which were useless for the country.
KP Minister Bashir Ahmad Bilour, Minister for Sport and Tourism Aqil Shah, businessmen, traders, industrialists and Smeda provincial chief Javed Iqbal Khattak, and officials of financial institutes were present on the occasion. The CM said that there are some comparative disadvantages in the Afghan Transit Trade Agreement because of which the business community is expressing reservations.
He said that the KP government would also oppose the controversial agreement and called for reviewing overall agreement with consultation of the business community of the province. "We want to enhance trade and extend its benefits to all neighbouring states," he maintained. He stressed the need for creation of maximum opportunities for younger generation, saying that the government is taking initiatives in this regard.
Regarding PM relief package to business community, he said that the province is still facing insurgency and terrorism-like situation. He called for extension of some functions of the package to give relief for further time. Hoti opposed the proposal of five-day working week and said that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government had already conveyed its concerns about the idea.
Due to some harsh steps for provision of security, he said, the business community had also been affected from it, but the government''s prime responsibility is protection of life and property of the masses at every cost. However, he issued special directive to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police (IGP) for devising a security plan with consultation of business community to ensure maximum access of shoppers and buyers during shopping season.
He said that the business community had always extended relief and financial assistance to calamity and floods hit people of the province and appreciated for provision of Rs 500,000 to launch anti-dengue fumigation drive in different city areas. Referring to sacrifices of people, law enforcement agencies and politicians, he said that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had paid high price in war against terrorism. He maintained that the funerals, mosques, politicians, religious clerics, educational institutions, bazaars, and children had been targeted in different acts of terrorism.
He observed that the nation, especially people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have faced the prevailing situation and all challenges confronting the country as united nation. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister said that the Pakistan as frontline ally in war against terrorism had been the much affected country. Despite this fact, he said, the blame game and allegations had been made against Pakistan, which was totally unfair and untrue.
Senator Ilayas Bilour said that the business activities had revived with support of PM relief package for the community, and called upon the provincial government to take up Afghan Transit Trade Agreement. Earlier, in address of welcome President of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KPCCI), Usman Bashir Bilour, said that the PPP-led coalition government had extended benefits and relief to the business community.
Later, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister formally inaugurated Ilayas Bilour Research & Development Centre at Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KPCCI) and announced a grant of Rs 2 million for it.