The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) of Pakistan has lifted the 10% levy on a range of Afghan export goods, reports The Nation.
The reform, announced by the Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PAJCCI), aims to facilitate Afghan exports and strengthen bilateral trade between the two countries.
According to The Nation, Pakistan’s exports to Afghanistan grew by 64.5% in the first nine months of the 2024/25 fiscal year, reaching $623 million. However, Afghan exports to Pakistan amounted to only $20 million, despite some growth. The trade imbalance — nearly 31 times — remains persistent.
The removal of the levy is a step toward reducing barriers. However, as experts point out, without investments in production, logistics, and the diversification of Afghanistan’s economy, the imbalance will only continue to grow.
Pakistan’s initiative is seen as a symbolic gesture, which must be followed by a real industrial policy. If Kabul does not strengthen its export potential, the economic imbalance risks becoming a political vulnerability, warns The Nation.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
May 27, 2025