Afghanistan-Pakistan transit trade - a few clarifications.

Byline: MAKHDOOM M. AMIN FAHIM, MINISTER FOR COMMERCE

Afghanistan is a land-locked country and we are obliged to provide it with access to seaports under our international treaty obligations. Before I start writing on the issue, it would be appropriate to set in proper context the role of Pakistan for Afghan Transit Trade. Afghanistan has similar transit trade agreements with following countries: Iran, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan.

The share of total imports of Afghanistan through transit trade only through these countries is as follows: The Afghan Commerce Minister Dr Anwar-ul-Haq Ahady, was recently in Islamabad with the Afghan delegation for the 7th meeting of Pakistan - Afghanistan Joint Working Group to finalise the bilateral transit trade treaty which both countries are negotiating since 2008 and which is to replace the 1965 Agreement.

The outcomes of this meeting were recorded in the minutes which were signed at the Prime Minister's Secretariat. Since then this event, which was witnessed by Prime Minister of Pakistan and US Secretary of State has been the focus of attention of the media. Apprehensions have been expressed that interests of Pakistan have been compromised at the behest of some external powers.

The Ministry of Commerce has been issuing clarifications on various opinions and misgivings about the new transit treaty. In this background this article is expected to provide a comprehensive clarification in order to remove confusions from the minds of …