Afghan diplomat backs stronger trade ties

The Consul General of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Hafiz Mohibullah, has expressed his belief that Pakistan and Afghanistan could achieve significant progress in bilateral trade.

At a seminar organized by the Institute of Regional Studies (IRS) in Peshawar, he praised the exceptional support provided by Pakistanis to their Afghan refugee brothers, likening it to the historic concept of Ansar.

He asserted that the defeat of the Soviet Union and the United States would not have been possible without the generous support of the Pakistani people.

Highlighting the challenges faced by Afghanistan in the past, Mohibullah noted that the country’s infrastructure suffered significant damage, and crucial sectors such as agriculture, dams, and the economy were neglected due to the interests of external powers. He lamented that if more attention had been given to education and health during the 20-year presence of the United States, Afghanistan would not be facing its current struggles in these areas.

The Consul General emphasized that the present efforts towards strengthening friendly and bilateral trade relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan are commendable and a step in the right direction. He expressed hope that the IRS’s efforts in organizing the seminar would contribute to further improvements in these relations.

Zia ul Haq Sarhadi, the Pak-Afghan Chamber Director and President of the Abbasin Column Writers Association, highlighted the historical context of Pak-Afghan Transit Agreements, expressing concern that despite an increase in the number of departments at the border, the problems have not reduced.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 29^th, 2023.