Pak denies transit of Indian goods through Wagah border to Afghanistan

Islamabad, July 19(ANI): The Pakistan government has denied a request by Afghanistan to allow passage of Indian goods through the Wagah border to the land-locked country.

The decision was taken in an agreement between Pakistan and Afghanistan, in which both the countries reached an understanding on all major issues related to transit trade.

The transit trade deal was signed by Pakistan Commerce Minister Makhdoom Muhammad Amin Faheem, and Afghan Commerce and Industries Minister Dr Anwarul Haq Ahady at the Prime Minister's House in the presence of Pakistan Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and visiting US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

"Pakistan and Afghanistan hope that the resolution of all outstanding matters relating to the finalisation of the Afghan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement (APTTA) will help in the early signing of the agreement, after completion of legal processes from both sides," The Daily Times quoted the broad-based record note, as saying.

"The two sides agreed that no Indian export to Afghanistan will be allowed through Wagah, however, Afghanistan would have the opportunity to export to India. Reciprocally, Pakistan would be able to export its goods to Central Asia through Afghanistan," it added.

The note also mentions that trucks from Afghanistan would be allowed to carry Afghan transit export cargo on designated routes to Pakistani seaports, as well as the Wagah border.

Afghan trucks, on return, will be permitted to carry goods from Pakistan to Afghanistan under the same expeditious procedures and conditions as Pakistani transport units.

The agreement is an important milestone in the development of Pak-Afghan trade and economic relationship and would benefit both sides. (ANI)