Members of two Senate standing committees heard the grievances of Balochistan-based traders and suggested significant amendments to the barter trade framework to address an ongoing trade crisis at the border.
The senate committees on Finance & Revenue and Commerce held two days of discussions with business leaders and provincial officials. They aim to eliminate procedural obstacles that have disrupted trade with Iran and Afghanistan and restore confidence within the local business community.
The committee chairs, Anusha Rahman and Saleem Mandviwala, stated the government’s commitment to resolving these issues and highlighted the Senate’s role in facilitating resolutions. During Thursday’s meeting at the Quetta Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCI), Chaman chamber representatives outlined the challenges traders face, including inefficient implementation of barter trade rules and poor inter-departmental coordination.
A significant concern raised was the lack of functional scanners at the Chaman border, causing severe delays. Traders informed the committees that very few trucks are allowed entry, leading to congestion and considerable business losses. Additionally, the limited capacity of the National Logistics Cell (NCL) terminal forces hundreds of trucks to queue for days, incurring heavy costs for businesses. Drivers also lack basic facilities like shade, water, and toilets.
Another issue highlighted was the non-operational status of the recently built Chaman Dry Port, which involved a significant investment. The committees assured traders they would push for immediate governmental follow-up and departmental field visits to address these problems.
During an earlier meeting involving Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti, committee members proposed strategic amendments to the Barter Trade Mechanism 2023. Senator Mandviwala noted the untapped economic potential of Balochistan, emphasizing the need for federal intervention to address persistent trader concerns.
Key proposals included revising the rigid 90-day condition for balancing import and export values, suggesting a more flexible system managed by Customs in coordination with traders. They also proposed extending barter trade authorizations from one year to three for added stability.
Addressing another critical barrier, the committees recommended that mandatory digital registrations using systems such as the Pakistan Single Window (PSW) and WeBOC should be handled by Customs. This would allow traders in remote areas to submit data manually, accommodating their unique challenges.
