Afghanistan-Pakistan trade agreement extended

KABUL (ToloNews): Amid concerns from some of the country’s traders about violations of the trade and transit agreements by Pakistan, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce has announced the extension of the trade and transit agreement between Kabul and Islamabad.

The Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement (APTTA) was signed on October 28, 2010, after several years of negotiations and with the mediation of the former US Secretary of State, aiming to expand trade, transit, and economic relations between Afghanistan, Pakistan, and regional countries.

Meanwhile, from time to time, Pakistan violates this agreement, creating problems in trade between the two countries.

Akhundzada Abdul Salam Jawad, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, said: “Extending the APTTA agreement is a necessity, and the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, understanding this necessity and the current conditions, is jointly working with Pakistan on this agreement.”

The Chamber of Commerce and Investment emphasized solving trade challenges between the two countries and called the continuation of these problems to the detriment of both sides.

“History shows that even during the intense wars of Najib and Karmal [early presidents of Afghanistan], our transit was not closed and, according to an agreement recognized by the United Nations, it was beneficial for Afghanistan,” said Khan Jan Alokozay, a member of the ACCI’s board of directors.

Some traders, coinciding with the export season of agricultural products and the increase in customs tariffs by Pakistan, criticized the existing challenges in trade and the violations of some terms of trade agreements.

They called on officials of both countries to facilitate their exports and imports and emphasized creating alternative routes by the Islamic Emirate.

“The Spin Boldak gate is closed to our agricultural goods, and many traders in the western zone cannot export through it and face various challenges,” said Omid Haidari, one of the traders.

“When our grape and pomegranate season arrives, and now it’s melon season, if the Islamic Emirate establishes a good agreement, our traders and farmers will not suffer,” said Farid Azimi, another trader.

In recent years, political relations and border tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan have also affected the economic activities of the two countries. The country’s traders have always criticized the Pakistani government’s behavior.