ISLAMABAD (July 21 2010): Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira on Tuesday said the Pak-Afghan transit trade agreement allowed only transport of merchandise from Afghanistan to Wagha border but no Indian goods would be allowed transit to Afghanistan via Pakistan land route.
Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, the minister said that both sides signed a Letter of Understanding in this connection. "Only a letter of understanding has been signed and MoU will be signed after approval of the Cabinet," he added. He said this understanding allowed one-way transit trade facility for Afghan goods up to Wagha border with restriction of reverse trade from India. Under this arrangement, Pakistan would allow Afghan goods export to India and Kabul would open transit facility for Pakistani goods to Central Asians States.
After evaluation of the Afghan good by custom officials at Torkham border, he said containers would be sealed and bank bonds issued which would only be returned after the goods are handed over to India at Wagha border. Kaira said this agreement was in favour of Pakistan as Afghanistan had no industries and Pakistani businessmen could export to CARs by air or using sea route.
Through this agreement price of goods would become more competitive when transported through Afghan land route, he added. During question and answer session, he said although the federation had full mandate to sign bilateral agreement with foreign countries.
However, Pakistan Muslim League (N) leader Mian Nawaz Sharif had been taken into confidence along with all the stakeholders before inking the agreement." In a recent talk between Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and Nawaz Sharif, matter of Pak Afghan transit trade and Pak-US strategic dialogue also came under discussion", he said.
He assured that the government was ready to talk with the Pak transporters so that their reservations would be addressed. He claimed that this agreement would also benefit local transporters. Replying to another question, the minister said the government always want healthy trade relationship with neighbouring India but it was not possible without settling outstanding issues like Kashmir and Siachen.
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