Peshawar — A jirga of traders from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s border districts met Governor Faisal Karim Kundi and warned that the ongoing closure of Pakistan–Afghanistan border crossings has severely disrupted commercial activity in the province. The delegation was led by Shahid Shinwari, Chairman of FPCCI’s Standing Committee on Trade Affairs for Afghanistan and Central Asia. Other members included Wajid Ali Shinwari, Hazrat Ali Shinwari, Shah Khalid, Qadeerullah Wazir, Subhanullah, Qaseem Khan from Chaman Border, and representatives from various chambers of commerce.
The delegation informed the governor that the prolonged suspension of cross-border movement has dealt a major blow to trade-dependent communities in Khyber, North Waziristan, Kurram, and Chaman, urging the government to take immediate and decisive measures.
Governor Faisal Karim Kundi said that sustainable business growth is impossible without peace, stressing that the most recent incidents of unrest were linked to Afghanistan. He noted that even during negotiations, the Afghan administration’s attitude had been uncooperative. He added that students, traders, politicians, and security forces have all suffered from terrorism, and a security operation is crucial to restore stability. “Only when peace returns will economic prosperity follow,” he stated.
He assured the delegation that he would play a proactive role in facilitating their meeting with the President and Prime Minister, acting as a bridge to help resolve their concerns. Members from Ghulam Khan Trade, including President Haji Malik Abdullah Khan and General Secretary Qamar Zaman Mehsud, were also present.
