Transit trade: Coordination authority to be set up

Pakistan, Afghanistan agree to establish joint committee for monitoring implementation of APTTA.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to establish a joint committee for monitoring implementation of the Afghan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement (APTTA).

The primary responsibility of the Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit Trade Coordination Authority (APTTCA) will be to resolve any disputes which may arise as a result of the transit trade agreement’s misuse.

Either country can lodge complaints about smuggling via the new arrangement with the APTTCA, which will call a meeting within three months of receiving the complaint and issue a ruling after considering arguments from both sides.

Chairpersonship of the authority will be held by both the countries simultaneously. Pakistan has nominated secretary commerce, while Afghanistan will be represented by the deputy minister of commerce and industries. The business communities of both countries will also be given representation.

APTTCA will meet every six months on a rotational basis in Afghanistan and Pakistan and all meeting-related expenses will be borne by the host country.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 5^th, 2011.