Officials from the Pakistan Business Forum (PBF) have revealed that India could suffer trade losses of around $1.14 billion due to restrictions on using Pakistani routes for its trading activities.
As reported by APP, PBF officials noted that from April 2024 to January 2025, India exported about $500 million worth of goods to Pakistan, while Pakistan’s imports from India were a mere $0.42 million.
They also pointed out that Indian goods moving through Pakistan to Afghanistan, valued at roughly $640 million a year, would face disruption, adding to India’s trade setbacks.
The forum expressed strong support for government measures aimed at pushing back against Indian actions, calling for national unity in safeguarding Pakistan’s sovereignty.
PBF President Khawaja Mehboob Ur Rehman reaffirmed the business community’s backing of the Pakistan Armed Forces, saying, “It has become their pattern to remain silent for a few years and then suddenly start pointing fingers at Pakistan again,” and added, “Enough patience has been shown.”
Senior Vice President Amna Munawwar Awan dismissed India’s claims after the Pahalgam attack, describing them as “absurd lies,” and argued the accusations were an attempt to distract from ongoing human rights violations in Indian-occupied Kashmir.
Chief Organiser Ahmad Jawad stressed the importance of suspending all trade ties until both nations can engage based on “mutual respect and equality.” He also blamed India for undermining regional economic cooperation and peace initiatives.
The PBF also condemned India’s decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty, calling it “ridiculous and detrimental” to peace in South Asia.
Jawad concluded by saying, “The only way forward is unity, resilience, and prioritising Pakistan first.”