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PESHAWAR, Dec 01 (APP): Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi on Monday held a meeting with delegation of traders from the province’s border districts, who apprised him of the severe economic impact caused by the closure of the Pakistan–Afghanistan border.
The delegation was led by Chairman FPCCI Standing Committee on Trade Affairs (Afghanistan and Central Asia) Shahid Shinwari. The group included Wajid Ali Shinwari Senior Vice President, Hazrat Ali Shinwari Executive Member, Khyber Chamber, Shah Khalid Chairman Tehsil Landi Kotal, Qadeerullah Wazir President Khyber Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Subhanullah President Kurram Chamber, Kharlachi Border, Qaseem Khan from Chaman Border, and others.
Haji Malik Abdullah Khan, President Ghulam Khan Trade North Waziristan and General Secretary Qamar Zaman Mehsud were also present.
The traders informed the Governor that the border closure with Afghanistan had critically affected business activities in KP, especially in the tribal and border districts, and urged the government to take effective measures for an immediate solution.
Governor Kundi said that economic progress is directly linked to peace in the province.
“All recent incidents of unrest are connected to Afghanistan, and even during negotiations, the attitude of the Afghan authorities was not encouraging,” he said.
He added that security forces, students, traders, politicians, and people from all walks of life have suffered from terrorism, and that a security operation is essential for restoring peace.
“Only after peace is established can businesses flourish and economic stability return,” he emphasized.
He assured the delegation that the issues of the business community are well understood and pledged to play a proactive role in facilitating their meeting with the President and the Prime Minister. “I will act as your advocate and a bridge,” he said.
Meanwhile, the delegation of Tehreek Paigham-e-Ehsaas Insaniyat called on Governor Faisal Karim Kundi at the Governor’s House. The delegation included the movement’s founder, Ayaz Ahmed Awan, patron-in-chief, Syed Inayat Shah Badshah, Chairman Haji Abidullah Khan Yousafzai, President Haji Muhammad Arif Yousaf Advocate, PPP leader Khawaja Yawar Naseer and other local dignitaries.
Speaking to the delegation, Governor Kundi said it was encouraging to see people from all political parties united for the betterment of Peshawar, calling the city the “face of the province.”
He said provincial issues directly affected the public and stressed the need for improved coordination between the federal and provincial governments.
Kundi said former provincial leadership had neglected cooperation, but hoped the current chief minister would work jointly to resolve key issues.
He pledged to take up road and railway-related matters with federal departments and urged the business community to take ownership of Peshawar’s development.
The Governor assured an uninterrupted power supply in areas with 100% WAPDA recovery, saying power theft was the main cause of load-shedding. The delegation thanked the Governor for his support and commitment to addressing public issues.