KABUL: A Pakistani delegation negotiated with the authorities of the Islamic Emirate for the resolution of trade, transit and transportation issues between the two countries, a statement from the ministry said Wednesday.
Coal imports from Afghanistan to Pakistan, nighttime operations of border facilities and round-the-clock border services have been discussed between the country’s deputy minister of commerce and industry, Qudratullah Jamal and his Pakistani counterpart during the tree-day delegation’s visit to Kabul.
The delegation was led by Secretary Commerce Saleh Ahmad Faruqi and comprised senior officials of the ministries of power, interior, commerce and the Federal Board of Revenue and National Logistics Cell — the state-run logistic fleet operator, according to a statement released by the country’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry the other day.
The acting Minister of Commerce and Industry, Nooruddin Azizi, has earlier said that Kabul is in talks with the Pakistani delegation that arrived in Kabul on Monday evening to sign an agreement to facilitate trade, transit and barter trade between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The Pakistani delegation is led by Commerce Secretary Saleh Farooqui.
Meanwhile, the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment (ACCI) said that Pakistan is trying to extend its trade with Afghanistan.
“Pakistan is trying to ramp up imports from Afghanistan. There are some technical problems in Wagah, Karachi, Ghulam Khan, Spin Boldak and Torkham ports which create hurdles against trade,” said Khanjan Alokozai, a member of the ACCI.
Meanwhile, the head of the Afghanistan Chamber of Agriculture and Livestock (ACAL), Mirwais Hajizada, said that the Afghan traders are facing hurdles in the export of fresh fruits and vegetables to Pakistan.
“The exports stopped during the fruit season. Either their scanners are destroyed or they don’t scan it,” he said.
Based on available numbers of the ACCI, Afghanistan exports to Pakistan exceeded $300 million in 1400 (solar year).
The meeting is a continuation of an ongoing process of bilateral engagements between Pakistan and Afghanistan in the fields of trade, transit, connectivity and economic cooperation.
Coal export is the most important issue for the neighboring country. But the exports should be dealt in U.S. dollar not in Pakistani rupee, as it would be a loss for Afghanistan, experts believed.
The Islamic Emirate should do its best to deal the country’s coal-rich mines in U.S. dollars as selling in Pakistani rupee would be a loss, not a benefit.
Pakistan decided a couple of days ago to relax trade conditions with Afghanistan, including barter trade and transactions in Pakistani rupees and wants border facilities to operate round the clock to facilitate coal imports from Afghanistan throughout the night, a Pakistani Newspaper Dawn said.
At present, trade facilities at border points operate only during the daytime and most of the time is consumed in the movement of people and import of Afghan fruits and vegetables into Pakistan, according to the statement.
Amiri
Afghan-Pak delegations discuss trade in Kabul
