India may suffer a loss of over Rs 97000000000 due to…, what is cash-strapped Pakistan threatening about?
Islamabad: Tensions between India and Pakistan have further escalated following the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir in which 26 tourists lost their lives. Both countries have taken several tough decisions against each other ranging from stopping the flow of the Indus River water to closing Pakistani airspace for Indian commercial flights. It is evident that these tough decisions will cause losses to both countries. Amid all this, the Pakistan Business Forum (PBF) has made a sensational claim that India will suffer a trade loss of about USD 1.14 billion (Rs 97,31,91,97,608) due to the ban on the use of Pakistani soil for business activities.
How Will India Suffer Losses?
According to Pakistan Business Forum officials, New Delhi exported goods worth USD 500 million to Pakistan between April 2024 and January 2025. While the country imports goods of only USD 0.42 million. Additionally the forum claimed that Indian goods moving through Pakistan to Afghanistan – which is worth about USD640 million annually, would also be disrupted, further increasing India’s trade deficit. The forum also pledged to support Pak government’s decisions against India.
What Is Pakistan Business Forum?
As per the official website of the Pakistan Business Forum, PBF is a chapter of the International Business Forum (IBF). It is a premier organisation that represents and supports the business community living in Pakistan. The forum further provides a platform for business entrepreneurs and industry leaders to collaborate, share ideas and address common challenges. It mainly focuses on promoting economic growth and influencing government policies in favour of businesses. PBF is chaired by Khawaja Mehboob ur Rehman.
India-Pakistan Closed Borders/Trade
India and Pakistan have severed ties at the Wagah/Attari border crossing, following an earlier suspension of direct trade. Pakistan has further escalated the situation by halting all trade with India, including indirect trade via third countries like the UAE, which had previously been utilised. This action marks a significant escalation from earlier discussions of potential trade routes between the two nations.
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