Observer Report
Beijing
Prime Minister Imran Khan’s decision to establish markets along the western border areas is an important measure to fully open the border trade with Afghanistan and Iran.
Cheng Xizhong, visiting professor at Southwest University of Political Science and Law said on Saturday said last week, Prime Minister Imran Khan directed the Pakistani authorities concerned to fast-track establishment of markets in the country’s border areas with Afghanistan and Iran.
They were also asked for early formulation of a comprehensive border economic development strategy in this regard.
“The better the security situation is, the more open the border will be and the more active the economy will be. I believe that the decision of the Pakistani government to establish markets along the western border areas is an important measure to fully open the border trade with Afghanistan and Iran,” he said in a statement issued here. This reflects at least three points, first, Pakistan has made substantial progress in its efforts to improve relations with its western neighbors Afghanistan and Iran over the years.
Second, the security situation in the western border areas has been significantly improved by strengthening the fight against terrorism and extremism together with regional countries. Third, Pakistan is committed to regional connectivity, development and prosperity.
He said, the decision to fast-track markets in the border areas was also a concrete reflection of the geo-economic strategy of the Imran Khan administration, which was conducive to curbing the commodity smuggling in the border areas, bolstering up the regional economy, creating more employment opportunities for the local people and bringing the prosperity to the people residing in the border areas of KP and Balochistan.
