PESHAWAR: December 30, 2025: In a significant move to ease ongoing tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan and to restart bilateral trade, business leaders from both countries held a crucial joint meeting via video conference (Zoom).
A statement issued in Peshawar after the meeting said it took place with the approval of both the governments.
The meeting concluded with an agreement to continue negotiations, present the demands and concerns of both nations to the relevant authorities, and establish a joint committee to restore and maintain trade corridors.
The meeting was chaired by S.M. Tanveer, the Patron-in-Chief of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), while Afghanistan's delegation was led by Syed Karim Hashmi, Chairman of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment (ACCI). It was decided at the end of the meeting to hold another Zoom conference in the coming days to review progress through mutual consultation.
According to details, this meeting was organized in the context of the border situation and trade matters between Pakistan and Afghanistan, facilitated by the Khayber Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the ACCI. The discussions focused on a single-point agenda, emphasizing that border closures and the suspension of trade routes severely impact not only the business communities of both countries but also the general populace. Therefore, it was deemed essential to separate trade from politics.
During the meeting, Pakistan's representatives firmly stated that Afghan territory should not be used against Pakistan and that the infiltration of terrorists from Afghanistan into Pakistan is unacceptable. The Pakistani business leadership assured that this stance would be effectively communicated to the relevant domestic authorities.
On the other hand, Afghan business leaders stressed the importance of keeping Pak-Afghan trade entirely separate from political issues and insisted that trade corridors must not be closed under any circumstances to sustain trade continuity and promote economic stability in the region.
Key Pakistani participants included S.M. Tanveer (Patron-in-Chief FPCCI and United Business Group Pakistan), Syed Javad Hussain Kazmi (Advisor FPCCI, Group Leader Khayber Chamber of Commerce and Industry), Mohammad Yusuf Afridi (President of Khayber Chamber of Commerce and Industry – Torkham Border), Haji Qadeerullah Wazir (President Waziristan Chamber of Commerce – Ghulam Khan Border), Haji Ayub Mariyani (President Quetta Chamber of Commerce and Industry), and other prominent members. Media representation was provided by senior journalists Qazi Fazalullah (Geo News) and Abuzar Afridi (Express News).
From the Afghan side, the meeting was conducted under the ACCI platform, led by Syed Karim Hashmi. Other Afghan participants included Inayatullah Siddiqzai (Vice Chairman ACCI), Habibullah Omar, Abdul Nafay (Vice Chairman ACCI), Mohammad Wali Amini (CEO ACCI), and various chamber presidents and board members.
Throughout the meeting, both countries’ business leaders appreciated the leadership roles of the FPCCI and the Khayber Chamber of Commerce and Industry, acknowledging their crucial contributions to facilitating meaningful negotiations between the Pakistani and Afghan business communities.
Participants expressed their commitment to present the agreed points to their respective authorities and to assess practical progress in the forthcoming Zoom meeting. This development was viewed positively, indicating a step toward regional stability and improved trade relations.
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