Pak envoy discusses Afghan Transit Trade with Taliban

ISLAMABAD (NNI): Pakistan ambassador to Afghanistan Aziz Khan has held talks with senior Taliban officials in Kabul to solve controversy over the Afghan Transit Trade, reports reaching here said Sunday.

Aziz Khan met Afghan Deputy Foreign Minister Abdur Rahman Zahid in Kabul and discussed problems of Afghan traders due to restrictions on the trade.

Pakistan envoy assured Afghan officials that he will convey their point of view to Pakistan authorities.

The last month talks between Pakistan and Taliban to settle the issues about the Afghan Transit Trade (ATT) in Islamabad remained inconclusive. Both the sides had decided to hold more talks which are expected after Eid.

"Efforts would be made to resolve the issue of transit trade keeping in view of its implications for Pakistans economy," a Pakistan official in the Minister for Commerce said.

Pakistan had imposed restrictions on ATT after the growing smuggle of goods, especially electronics, to Pakistan from Afghanistan. Imports of some 17 items were banned under ATT after complained by Pakistani manufacturers that the smuggling is badly affecting the local industry.

Afghanistan and Pakistan had signed the transit trade agreement in 60s, under which Pakistan had been providing port facilities to Afghanistan.