A preferential trade deal with Afghanistan would be discussed by Pakistan as the two neighbors would open talks on a new transit trade agreement, said Prime Minister for Trade and Investment Abdul Razak Dawood on Tuesday.
Dawood said that the existing Pakistan-Afghanistan transit trade agreement will expire next year, a 10-year new transit trade agreement will be signed this time, he added.
Speaking at the Pakistan Afghanistan Trade & Investment Forum, Abdul Razak Dawood told the seminar that during his next visit to Kabul next month, the preferential trade agreement will come under discussion. He added that he would open negotiations with the Afghan leadership with an open heart.
The trade advisor claimed that Afghanistan had given a list of 30 articles and that Pakistan would soon send Afghanistan its list of goods. He said, “Increasing the amount of trade with Afghanistan is an objective of Pakistan and concrete steps will be taken in that regard.”
Speaking at the forum, Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani highlighted the importance for regional growth and economic prosperity of improved connectivity, trade linkages and better investment opportunities.
Sanjrani said, “Peaceful neighborhood is a vital component of Pakistan’s foreign policy. It is now time to turn our bilateral and economic linkages into a strategic partnership for betterment and prosperity of our people and the region as well.”
He stressed the need to increase the current level of trade between the two countries to balance the enormous potential for economic cooperation. He added that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) provided another golden opportunity for the well-being of the masses, especially the youth, to join hands.
The Chairman of the Senate and the Speaker strongly condemned the terrorist attack on the madrassa in Peshawar and agreed that such terrorist acts would not affect the Pakistani-Afghan relationship.
