Prime Minister Imran Khan inaugurated 24/7 Torkham Terminal at Pak-Afghan border on Wednesday.

The terminal will serve round the clock, seven days a week.

Torkham border in Khyber District has been open twenty-four hours on trial basis since 2nd of this month.

The Project has been completed at a cost of 16 billion rupees.

Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister Imran Khan said it is historic day for promoting trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

He said trade has already witnessed fifty percent increase between the two countries as a result of the opening of this round the clock facility.

The Prime Minister said peace in Afghanistan will change the whole region as it will trigger greater trade activity up to the Central Asian States. He said this will also generate immense job opportunities for our peoples.    

On the stalled Afghan peace process, the Prime Minister said Pakistan will make its utmost effort for the resumption of the peace process.  He said it will be tragedy if the talks do not resume and the Taliban do not participate in the Afghan elections.

The Prime Minister said that he will insist for resumption of peace process during his meeting with the US President Donald Trump on Monday.

He said peace in Afghanistan is in the interest of Afghan people as well as Pakistan. He said Pakistan has tried its best to improve relations with Afghanistan.

Responding to the queries of the media persons regarding Kashmir, the Prime Minister ruled out talks with India unless it lifts curfew in occupied Kashmir and revoke its illegal decisions there.

He said India is under the occupation of extremist and racist Hindus. He said the ideology of RSS is full of hatred against Pakistan and the Muslims.

The Prime Minister assured the nation that he will forcefully present the Kashmir case like never before at the UN General Assembly session.

The Prime Minister strongly condemned the Ghotki incident describing it a conspiracy against the country ahead of his address to the UN General Assembly session.  He said attacks against the minorities are contrary to our constitution as well as teachings of Islam.

To a question, Imran Khan said no NRO will be given to those who plundered the national exchequer. He said the previous governments left behind the historic fiscal and trade deficits which resulted in depreciation of rupee and price hike.  He said there is no future of the country if these corrupt elements were not held accountable.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mehmood Khan, and other senior civil and military officials were also present on the occasion.

Zahid/Ahsan