Technology to be introduced at Pak-Afghan border

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to set up a biometric system and electronic data exchange system at the border between the two states.

Sources said that the neighbours agreed to introduce these two anti-smuggling innovations under the Afghan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement (APTTA).

Under the APTTA, Afghan and Pakistani transporters have been granted the permission to carry goods across the border after the issuance of permits. The biometric system will enable authorities to verify these permits that will be issued to drivers of both nationalities.

The implementation of a biometric system would not only result in the reduction of illegal trade but also help curb cross-border terrorism. The system will enable authorities to identify the people coming into Pakistan via the border.

Sources disclosed that Afghan officials have claimed that the country does not have enough resources to set up the biometric system but added that the government would not have any objections if Pakistan wanted to introduce such a system on the border.

However, the costs of setting up and running such a system would have to be borne by the Pakistani side in entirety.

Meanwhile, both sides also agreed on the need to implement an electronic data exchange system to curb smuggling. Under the computerised system, the customs departments of both states will be electronically linked. The e-system will enable Pakistan to acquire information from Afghan officials on goods leaving the country for Afghanistan. Furthermore, the verification of cross-border certificates issued by Afghanistan will be possible through the online system.

Afghan officials have said that the country has already prepared a computerised data system and this system has to be linked with Pakistani customs department.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 21^st, 2010.