A delegation from Pakistan’s commerce ministry is scheduled to go to Afghanistan on Monday (Mar 25) to deal with bilateral trade-related points. Pakistan’s overseas ministry spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch confirmed that Secretary Commerce Khurrum Agha would lead the delegation on a two-day journey to Afghanistan beginning March 25 to have interaction in discussions regarding commerce issues.
Baloch highlighted Pakistan’s dedication to fostering commerce and people-to-people connections with Afghanistan and underlined the significance of addressing mutual issues.
Becoming a member of Agha within the delegation are key officers together with Maria Qazi, Dr Wajid Ali Khan, and Khushal Khan.
In response, Afghanistan additionally acknowledged the upcoming go to. Spokesman for the Afghan Commerce Ministry, Abdul Salam Jawad, acknowledged that Minister of Trade and Commerce Nooruddin Azizi would lead the Afghan delegation.
Jawad highlighted the intention to debate bilateral and transit commerce points, notably specializing in addressing the ban on sure transit gadgets which has adversely affected commerce flows. “We are going to take up the problem of a ban on a number of transit gadgets. Pakistan has banned the import of sure gadgets beneath the transit settlement. Round 50 p.c of transit commerce has been decreased because of this ban and shifted to Iran,” Jawad mentioned.
Pakistan-Afghanistan strained ties
The upcoming talks come within the wake of strained relations between the 2 nations following Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan focusing on alleged Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan militants. The incident adopted a terrorist assault on a Pakistani military outpost.
Khan Jan Alkozai of the Pak-Afghan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Trade expressed optimism that the Pakistani authorities would tackle Afghan importers’ issues.
Moreover, Pakistani merchants additionally pointed on the significance of facilitating transit and bilateral commerce with Afghanistan, citing mutual advantages for each nations.
The historical past of Pak-Afghan relations has seen fluctuations, with incidents just like the short-term closure of the Torkham border crossing in February 2023 because of escalated tensions.
Current engagements between diplomatic representatives from each international locations goal at de-escalating tensions and revitalising numerous facets of bilateral relations.
Nevertheless, challenges persist, with Pakistan urging the Taliban authorities in Kabul to take stronger motion towards anti-Pakistani teams, particularly the TTP, allegedly harboured in Afghanistan.
(With inputs from businesses)
