A significant development has emerged toward the restoration of Pakistan-Afghanistan trade corridors, as business leaders from both countries held a virtual meeting and agreed on key measures to revive bilateral trade.

According to reports from Landi Kotal and Khyber, the Zoom meeting was led on the Pakistani side by Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) President Atif Ikram Sheikh and SM Tanveer.

The Afghan delegation was headed by Syed Karim Hashmi, patron-in-chief of the Afghan Chamber of Commerce.

During the meeting, both sides agreed to form a 12-member joint committee comprising six representatives each from Pakistan and Afghanistan.

It was decided that the committee’s first meeting would be held on January 6 at the Torkham border to discuss the reopening of trade routes and the resumption of commercial activities.

Pakistan nominated Syed Jawad Hussain Kazmi as head of the joint committee.

SM Tanveer said the committee would hold meetings in various cities and would serve as a platform to promote bilateral trade.

Atif Ikram Sheikh noted that traders from both countries were acting as a bridge to bring the two nations closer through cooperation.

Business leaders expressed hope that the committee’s efforts would help reduce trade barriers at border crossings and pave the way for smoother trade operations.