Pakistan keen on facilitating Afghanistan in transit trade, says Sartaj

ISLAMABAD: Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Sartaj Aziz, on Monday, said Pakistan wanted to facilitate Afghanistan in transit trade.

“We wanted to have meetings with Afghanistan to resolve the business related issues existing between the two neighbouring countries, ” he said while talking to a private news channel.

Pakistan desired to hold meetings with Afghan officials but they were reluctant to consider the offer.



"Through dialogue involving the official of both the countries, the issues of transit trade could be addressed," Sartaj mentioned.

Expressing serious concerns over attacks targeting children and the people of Pakistan from Afghan soil, he said "we will take action to counter such objectionable activities."

In reply to a question, he said “We will not allow India for transit trade with Afghanistan using the soil of Pakistan.” Indian trade, he said, was not associated or linked with Afghanistan, he added.

To another question, he said efforts were being made to improve the roads linking Chaman-Torkham border for easy
passage of trucks.



Aziz has earlier said that international rating agencies are optimistic about Pakistan’s economic performance and are predicting the country will emerge as one of the fastest growing economies in the world in the coming years.

In redefining paths for the future, the deputy chairman said it is important to carefully analyse the dramatic changes that are taking place in the global economy as economic dynamism shifts from advanced economies to emerging markets.