ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Pakistan’s Ambassador to Afghanistan Syed Abrar Hussain has stated that his country was fully committed to facilitate Afghan Transit Trade through Pakistan which would also help increase bilateral trade between the two neighbouring countries.
He said Pakistan was the largest and most important trade partner of Afghanistan and efforts were being made to enhance the bilateral trade volume from existing US $ 2 billion to $ 5 billion in the near future.
The Ambassador made these remarks while addressing the inaugural session of 4th “Made in Pakistan Exhibition” in Kabul, organized by the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry in collaboration with Pakistan Embassy and Pak-Afghan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry, a message received here from Kabul on Thursday said.
Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Hussain highlighted the need to forge a comprehensive Pak-Afghan partnership based on mutual trust and confidence.
He stated that Pakistan accorded utmost significance to its ties with Afghanistan as both countries shared similar culture, history and religion, and the closer trade relations between the two countries were highly essential for the economic prosperity of the people of the two sides.
The Ambassador reiterated his government’s commitment to work for various connectivity projects in Afghanistan which would enormously benefit the people of Afghanistan as well as the entire region.
He highlighted various projects by Pakistan in health, education and infrastructure sectors, particularly the Torkham-Jalalabad Highway which was near completion.
The Ambassador informed the participants that Pakistan and Afghanistan were working on railway links between Peshawar and Jalalabad and Chaman and Kandahar.
Besides, construction of a Peshawar-Kabul Motorway was also on cards.
He expressed the hope that these projects would tremendously contribute toward the economic development of the two neighboring countries.
He went on to say that shared economic stakes would help bring stability to Afghanistan and the region.
The Ambassador said projects like CASA-1000 Electricity Transmission Project, TAPI gas pipeline and China-Pakistan Economic Corridor were critical to security, stability, progress and prosperity of the region.
Afghan Deputy Minister for Commerce Muzammil Shinwari also spoke on the occasion and underlined the need for enhancing bilateral trade between the two countries.
Khan Jan Alokozay, Co-Chairman of Pak-Afghan Joint Chamber, also addressed the participants, saying that both countries were required to initiate steps for the facilitation of traders.
He thanked the Embassy of Pakistan for facilitating the Afghan traders and businessmen.
President of Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce, Mian Humayun Parvez, also spoke on the occasion and asked the Afghan Chambers of Commerce and Industry to organize similar exhibition in Pakistan.
Source: APP
