(UTV|COLOMBO) – Trade between Pakistan and Sri Lanka has come to a screeching halt, the Pakistan-based The Express Tribune reported.
The reason behind the stoppage is said to be the rising violence against the Muslim community in Sri Lanka in the wake of recent terrorism and suicide attacks in the country, which resulted in heavy casualties.
“Rice and textile exports to Sri Lanka from Pakistan have stopped. Potato export has also reduced drastically,” said the Pakistan – Sri Lanka Business Forum Chairman, Aslam Pakhali.
“It is the Muslim community in Sri Lanka that imports Pakistani products and sells them there. They are partners of Pakistani exporters,” said Pakhali, adding that the properties of Muslims were damaged during the recent wave of violence over there.
“Their shops, super stores and godowns are being targeted. The goods exported from Pakistan have been unloaded at the Sri Lankan port, but the importers are not getting them cleared because of the deteriorating law and order situation there,” he added.
“The goods, especially fruits and vegetables, in godowns are perishing.
“Sri Lanka is a major importer of Pakistani rice and textile products, but the exports have come to a halt,” he added.
Pakhali said a delegation of the Forum held a meeting with the Sri Lankan Ambassador in Pakistan and emphasised that the Muslim community over there be protected.
The delegation condemned the terrorist activities in Sri Lanka and condoled the loss of precious lives over there.
They demanded of the Sri Lankan Government to compensate for the losses inflicted upon the Muslim community and provide them with protection.
Pakhali said, “The loss to the Muslim community by now is estimated at USD 500 million and payments to the Pakistani exporters amounting of USD 30 million have been withheld.”
He said the exports would not resume till the law and order situation in Sri Lanka improved. “Pakistan will face difficulties in achieving the export target in the final months of this fiscal year,” he added.
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