The Pakistani government has decided to establish 12 Joint Trade Markets(JBTMs) along with Afghanistan along the Durand Line, Pakistan’s embassysaid in a statement on Monday.

The statement said that one is at Shaheedano Dand in Kurram Agency and willbe open by February 2021, as a pilot project.

“The JBTMs are believed to promote the wellbeing of the people living onboth sides of the Durand Line, rehabilitate those affected byanti-smuggling drive, economically integrate the neglected areas, formalizebilateral trade and transform local economies,” the statement said.

The statement also mentioned that Pakistan has prepared a draft memorandumof understanding (MoU) on the establishment of JBTMs with Afghanistan,covering all aspects, including the proposed list of items to be traded inthese markets and locations.

On November 22, Pakistan shared the draft MoU and the proposed list ofitems to be traded in JBTMs with Afghanistan and sought the views of theAfghan side for this initiative, it said.