The Pak-Afghan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industries (PAJCCI) works as the main body that promotes trade development and investment activities, as well as trade-related services and economic ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan. The chamber operates its secretariat base in Karachi, but there exists a compelling reason to establish the new headquarters in Islamabad, which serves as Pakistan’s administrative and political hub. The relocation provides both strategic and logical motivations, which correspond to present regional trade developments and policy creation procedures, and diplomatic relations between nations.

The chamber’s position in Karachi creates a physical separation from the central ministries and diplomatic missions.

All policies that determine Pakistan’s economic ties with Afghanistan, including the Afghanistan Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement (APTTA) receive development and negotiation through Islamabad ministries. The chamber’s position in Karachi creates a physical separation from the central ministries and diplomatic missions, together with regulatory bodies, which directly shape the trade and investment framework.

The PAJCCI can better advocate for policies through Islamabad relocation because it will have direct access to Pakistani relevant authorities for immediate discussions. The chamber can provide immediate responses to new issues and enhance meaningful bilateral trade reforms through its proximity to the central policymaking area.

The historical Pakistan-Afghan trade relationship centered on transit operations, which involved Afghan product movement through Pakistani ports. However, this narrow focus is evolving. The current priority is given to bilateral trade relationships while attracting investments and developing industrial partnerships. The city of Islamabad is more capable than Karachi of leading this transformation.

The capital city establishes a policy-driven environment which enables both countries to transform their trade relationship from logistics-focused to develop the potential of agriculture, mining, manufacturing, and service sectors.

Islamabad establishes a policy-driven environment enabling both countries to transform their trade relationship.

The Afghan chapter of PAJCCI functions from Kabul instead of Kandahar or Jalalabad in Afghanistan. The Pakistani chapter location in Islamabad follows a balanced structure that mirrors the reciprocal relationship between capital cities. The movement of the chamber to Islamabad will be a good step towards having the main office in the capital of the country where the policy is made. It is also good in terms of proximity to other important chambers that serve trade flow between Afghanistan and Pakistan. The relocation will also enhance the national secretariat’s relationships with regional bodies to create a unified and responsive trade system.

Moving the PAJCCI to Islamabad brings both real advantages and symbolic significance. The relocation of PAJCCI signals that Afghanistan-Pakistan relations have outgrown their historical role as port logistics and transit routes to develop a sustainable economic partnership. The Pakistani capital offers superior logistics benefits because of its better infrastructure network, along with enhanced connectivity to embassies and donors, and international financial institutions that back bilateral economic projects.

The current regional economic changes require both structural and priority adjustments from the PAJCCI. Moving the secretariat to Islamabad represents a strategic realignment that maximizes the mutual interests of Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Moving the PAJCCI to Islamabad brings both real advantages and symbolic significance.

The chamber will achieve better connections with national policymakers and regional trading stakeholders and the Afghan counterpart in Kabul through relocation, while expanding its focus on investment development and sustainable economic relations. The Future of Pak-Afghan commerce belongs in Islamabad.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author. They do not represent the views, beliefs, or policies of the Stratheia.