Afghan transit trade through Gwadar port can boost Baloch economy: Raisani

Quetta, Jan 3(ANI): Afghan transit trade through Gwadar port can boost economic activities in Balochistan, Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raisani has said.

Talking to reporters, Raisani said the transit trade was imperative for sustainable development of the port.

He said he had suggested to British officials that fuel to NATO troops battling the Taliban in Afghanistan should be supplied through Gwadar port because doing so would be economical.

Raisani also said the Balochistan Government was ready to provide security to NATO vehicles travelling through Gwadar, however, adding that the roads had been adversely affected by heavy NATO containers and oil tankers passing through Balochistan.

"The US and NATO have to only invest 1.5 billion dollars for construction of roads, and then they can easily supply fuel to their troops in Afghanistan from Gwadar," the Dawn quoted the CM, as saying.

According to sources, NATO supplies are sent to Afghanistan through Chaman and Torkham road networks in Pakistan. (ANI)