Paktika exports to Pakistan record 7-fold increase

SHARANA (Pajhwok) The export of dried and fresh fruits to Pakistan from southeastern Paktika province has increased by seven times, traders and their representatives say.

Tila Khan Zahin, Paktika chamber of commerce and industry head, told Pajhwok Afghan News that nearly 5,000 tons of fruits exports would be illegally smuggled to Pakistan in the past.

But the amount of legal exports from Paktika to Pakistan increased to 35,000 tons per year, he said, registering a seven-fold increase. The exports include apples, onion, potato, peanuts, tomatoes and pine nuts.

“These items are exported through legal routes to Pakistan,” Zahin said, adding that if the road between Argun and Barmal districts was asphalted, it would turn into a transit route and thousands of tons of goods could be exported through that way.

Mohammad Daud, a trader in Barmal district, told Pajhwok that exports from Paktika province to Pakistan had increased compared to the past.

He said from five to 20 trucks exported such products to Pakistan everyday and now fresh fruits reached the market on time creating jobs for many.

Paktika province shares 365 kilometers of border with Pakistan. Products from Pakisia were illegally exported to Pakistan in the past.

mds/ma

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