Pakistani cleric Maulana Fazl ur Rehman has criticised the government’s border closures with Afghanistan and its handling of the economy, saying the policy has failed and officials are not being transparent with parliament.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, the leader of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Pakistan said the government has not explained to the public or lawmakers the impact of Middle East tensions on Pakistan’s economy.
He said: “If some matters cannot be discussed publicly, at least they should be explained in closed parliamentary sessions so representatives understand the country’s real situation.”
Fazl ur Rehman added that economic pressure on Afghanistan through border closures has not worked.
He said Afghanistan has found alternative trade routes with Central Asia, while India continues trade with East and South Asia, but “we have closed our own trade routes”.
Referring to the closure of Pakistan’s main borders with Afghanistan and India, he said: “We have closed both borders, and now we cannot trade with the West or the East.”
Following rising tensions between Kabul and Islamabad in October last year, Pakistan closed eight border crossings with Afghanistan, disrupting trade and movement of goods.
The Taliban later gave traders three months to settle contracts in Pakistan and shift to other routes.
They have since reduced trade dependence on Pakistan, increasing transit through Iran and Central Asia.
Earlier, Pakistan’s central bank reported that trade with Afghanistan had fallen by about 60% over the past seven months.
Fazl ur Rehman also said fuel prices have risen in Pakistan, and that oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz under Pakistan’s flag have not lowered costs.
