Mutual MoU of transit of Kabul , Islamabad expired: Alkozai

Officials in chamber of commerce and industry have stated that mutual memorandum of understanding on transit in between Afghanistan Pakistan has expired, but Pakistan still benefits from the following transit based on the memorandum of understanding signed by both countries.

They have also criticized that if Afghanistan doesn’t utilize the APTA memorandum of understanding, Pakistan shouldn’t be benefited.

Deputy of chamber of commerce and industry Khan Jan Alkozai said,” APTA memorandum of understanding expired, but Pakistan is still using that rout and its goods are reaching to middle Asia.”

Its said that APTA has been signed on 2010 in between Afghanistan, Pakistan based on the MoU Pakistan could use Afghanistan’s soil for transiting its goods to middle Asia, but in most cases Pakistan created problems for Afghans traders goods to reach to Wagga port.

US Government had welcomed the announcement made by the Presidents Karzai and Zardari of the full implementation on June 12 of the Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement (APTA).

This step is a concrete demonstration of the common shared vision of development, prosperity and peace the two Presidents share, and it will make a significant contribution to regional stability.

The APTA was concluded after years of effort and replaces an outdated agreement dating from 1965. It is a major breakthrough, demonstrating strong economic and political cooperation between the two countries. To complete implementation, both countries demonstrated their continuing commitment to work together to overcome technical and political obstacles.

Ministry of commerce and industry spokesman Musafir Qoqandi said,” we have informed Pakistan about the issue two months ago,if Pakistan doesn’t resolve the Afghan businessmen problems the following memorandum of understanding doesn’t mean anything.”

Pakistan has been using that rout and transit it goods to middle Asia in that past years, but couldn’t be a good partner to provide more facilities for Afghan traders to see their goods reached to Wagga port.