PHOTO: AFP/FILE
Speaking at a roundtable discussion on a report titled “Pakistan-Afghanistan Cooperation on Trade: Political Economy Analysis” at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), he emphasised on the need for achieving regional peace through economic cooperation.
Dastgir acknowledged that tensions did exist pertaining to trade facilitation with Afghanistan and said a strong mutual agreement should be in place.
According to the minister, Pakistan Railways will begin to play a more prominent role in the movement of goods and the government has also started working on moving the country towards regional economic cooperation.
He emphasised that regional peace could be achieved through economic cooperation and prospects were very high given the goodwill between the countries.
Former federal minister Dr Zubair, who prepared the report, said improving trade links with Afghanistan was important in regional context.
Illegal trade could be reduced by improving border procedures and strengthening bonded transport that would enable transit trade cargo to move smoothly, he said.
ISSI Director General Ambassador Masood Khan said the ministries of commerce and foreign affairs and the Federal Board of Revenue could benefit from the report.
Other speakers at the conference said that the report made a valuable contribution in the areas it covered.
To curb smuggling through the Afghan border, Pakistan has taken important steps including paperless clearance and tariff rationalisation.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 22nd, 2016.
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