Islamabad, Sep 18 (IANS): Pakistan will set up three markets along the borders with Afghanistan and Iran by February 2021 to promote business activities and help the people in the border areas, Prime Minister Imran Khan's Office said.

Khan, who presided over a high-level meeting in Islamabad on Thursday, approved the establishment of the markets as a pilot project, Xinhua news agency quoted the Office as saying in a statement.

Under the pilot project, the three markets, two in Balochistan and one in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, will be completed and operational by February in 2021.

A total of 12 markets are expected to be established along the border with Afghanistan while six markets along the border with Iran, according to the statement.

Speaking on the occasion, Khan that these markets will provide better business and trade opportunities to the people living along the border areas.

He added that fencing of the borders will help in organizing the cross-border movement and curbing smuggling.

The premier directed the concerned departments to complete training of the staff to be deployed at the border markets and official border crossings, according to the statement.

The meeting also decided to take effective steps to stop cross-border smuggling, which according to officials, badly affect the locals in the areas.