ISLAMABAD: Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs Andleeb Abbas on Friday informed the National Assembly that despite Covid-19, trade with Afghanistan had increased by 25pc.
Responding to queries during the question hour, she said, “We had opened the border with Afghanistan following which our trade with the neighbouring country increased by 25pc despite the threat of Covid-19.”
She maintained that Pakistani exports had increased due to the prudent policies of the government.
“India wanted to isolate Pakistan at the international level, but we have significantly improved our relations with neighbours [Iran and Afghanistan] during the last two years,” she stated. “Improvement in bilateral ties with South Asian countries remains a priority of the government’s foreign policy.”
She said Pakistan intended to resolve all outstanding issues with India, including Kashmir dispute, through peaceful means. However, India must create an enabling environment for a result-oriented dialogue to take place.
“Pakistan believes that the economic potential of the region cannot be realized without a peaceful and stable Afghanistan.”
