'Pak inks MoU for transit of Indian goods to Afghan'

[RPK]

fullstory

Lahore, Oct 1 (PTI) Pakistan has signed a memorandum of understanding to provide transit facilities to India for its trade with Afghanistan, Commerce Minister Makhdoom Amin Fahim has said.

Formalities in this regard will be finalised though Pakistan will ensure that its national interests are protected, said Fahim, a top leader of the ruling Pakistan People?s Party.

The MoU was signed following a request from the Indian government to the effect that road and rail transit facilities should be provided for its trade with Afghanistan, Fahim told reporters here yesterday.

Till now Pakistan has been reluctant to to allow New Delhi to use its land routes for trade with Kabul as many have claimed that such a facility would only benefit India.

The government is trying to gain access for Pakistani products to markets in European Union countries and the US, he said.


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Praveen's Comment

Good News But GOI keep check on blackmailing by GOP

 

[Goodperson]

No use for India it still has to take Iran route.

 

[Sabir]

Very soon we are going to see some dirty politics in it. "Pakistan's interest" clause is included in it. It can cover anything if the wants and transport can be stopped on baseless grounds.

 

[Rage]

I like the sound of that. This provides us land access to Central Asia, and an alternative logistics route to Afghanistan in the event that war breaks out with Iran (the gods forbid, for they have been our steadfast ally for long).


My commendations to the puppet government of Pakistan for acquiescing to this, our most reasonable request.


Any word on how the road and rail transit facilities will be protected? Perhaps we can have a few undercover operatives of the RAW or commandos of the CISF guarding those installations.


Pak sar zameen shadbad....whatever.

 

[tiger usa]

Keep dreaming dude this will never happen.

 

[amitkriit]

Did Pakistan finally see the light at the end of tunnel? If yes this is a good begining for Pak-India relations. More peace and less rattling will help both countries grow together, and build a better future for our people.

Pakistan providing India transit to Afghanistan may not be significant economically, but it is an important step in bringing down tension between the two countries. China must be most worried as it will mean more access for India to Central-Asia.

 

[Pintu]

Agree with you , amitkritt , the value of the MoU , hidden in bringing down tension and prosperity of the sub continent and peace , friendship between two countries, however whether it may be successful, that answer may lie in future, may we can hope for best.

Regards

 

[Rage]

Keep dreaming dude this will never happen.

Ughhhh?...'Dude', did you not also say that before the U.S. started drone-bombing your country?

 

[Rage]

Keep dreaming dude this will never happen.

Hm....smells like team spirit.


Afghan trucks to India allowed to pass through Pakistan

"No decision has yet been taken on allowing Indian exports to Afghanistan through Pakistan.”

Our Bureau

Kolkata, Dec. 25

For the first time, Pakistan has agreed in principle to allow Afghan trucks carrying goods for a third country to pass through Pakistan's territory and the decision is to help Afghanistan's exports, mainly perishables, to India by land route as the trucks can now travel right up to Wagah border, according to informed sources.

However, no decision has yet been taken on allowing Indian exports to Afghanistan through Pakistan, the sources add.

Pakistan's decision to allow Afghanistan's exports to India by land route was announced following a high-level meeting between the officials of commerce and immigration departments of the two countries recently. However, formal agreements in this regard will be signed later, it is learnt.

Legal status

The issue of according legal status to Afghan trucks travelling up to Wagah is yet to be sorted out just as the modalities of allowing Afghan trucks up to Karachi and Pakistani trucks across Afghanistan remain unresolved.

The decision on the two-way trade by land route between India and Afghanistan will take time to firm up as there has to be composite dialogue on this between India and Pakistan at a different forum. The recent high-level meeting between Afghanistan and Pakistan, it was felt, was not the right forum to discuss the matter.

The Hindu Business Line : Afghan trucks to India allowed to pass through Pakistan