Pakistan denies transit route for Indo-Afghan trade
Thursday, 22 July 2010
ISLAMABAD, July 21 (Commodity Online): Ending all speculations, Pakistan on Tuesday confirmed that India will not be allowed to carry trade goods to Afghanistan via its territory under Pak-Afghan Transit Trade Arrangement (APTTA).
Announcing Pakistan governments decision, country's I&B minister said only transport of trade goods from Afghanistan would be allowed up to Wagha border only while no Indian goods would be transported to Afghanistan through this route.
He further said only a letter of understanding has been signed for this purpose so far.
The letter of understanding has been signed for one way transit trade facility for Afghan goods up to Wagha border, and not for reverse trade from India.
This would be a bilateral agreement under which Pakistan would allow Afghan goods export to India via Wahga border and Kabul will provide transit facility to Pakistani goods to Central Asians States (CARs)," he said.
Pakistan Customs would evaluate the Afghan goods at the Torkham border, seal the containers and issue bank bonds, which would only be returned after the goods are handed over to India at Wahga border, the minister added.
Announcing Pakistan governments decision, country's I&B minister said only transport of trade goods from Afghanistan would be allowed up to Wagha border only while no Indian goods would be transported to Afghanistan through this route.
He further said only a letter of understanding has been signed for this purpose so far.
The letter of understanding has been signed for one way transit trade facility for Afghan goods up to Wagha border, and not for reverse trade from India.
This would be a bilateral agreement under which Pakistan would allow Afghan goods export to India via Wahga border and Kabul will provide transit facility to Pakistani goods to Central Asians States (CARs)," he said.
Pakistan Customs would evaluate the Afghan goods at the Torkham border, seal the containers and issue bank bonds, which would only be returned after the goods are handed over to India at Wahga border, the minister added.