President Pakistan Businessmen and Intellectuals Forum (PBIF) Mian Zahid Hussain has lauded decision to open two more border points at Pak-Iran border, which will facilitate trade, reduce transportation and business cost and help grow economy of Balochistan. He said that the visit of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani can be a turning point in bilateral relations between Pakistan and Iran and asked both the governments to implement the decisions taken during the visit to make every sphere of bilateral relationship healthy.
Hussain said that the issue of gas pipeline was not on the table as per common perception, which has disappointed many. Pakistan's trade with Iran stands at unimpressive 250 million dollar while Tehran's trade with India and UAE is in billions of dollars which is annoying, he added.
He said that the role of Ministry for Food Security was as important as the Ministry of Commerce in boosting trade with Iran due to the highly unpredictable and confusing import mechanism practised in Iran, especially that of agricultural products. On the other hand, he said, Pakistani laws are clear which has resulted in enhanced imports from Iran and reduced exports. He said that Pakistani traders bear additional cost of one hundred thousand rupees on export of one ton of rice while they are also weary of attitude of trade officials posted in Iran.
He said that Iranian trucks can drop their merchandise anywhere in Pakistan while Pakistani trucks have been made bound to a location inside Iranian border, which is seen as an irritant. Iranian border check posts are popular for impeding trade while Pakistan border guards are known for facilitating smugglers, he noted.