Pak-Afghan bus, rail links discussed 30.06.2005 ISLAMABAD: Plans for bus links between Pakistani and Afghan cities as well as trade matters were discussed here on Tuesday at a meeting between officials of the two countries. A 10-member Afghan delegation, headed by Transport Minister Dr Inayatullah Qasmi, held talks with Minister of State for Communication Eng Shahid Jamil. The meeting reviewed progress on plans to start a bus service between Peshawar and Jalalabad and another between Quetta and Kandahar via Chamman. Matters related to facilitation for traders also came up during the talks. Welcoming the Afghan delegation, Shahid Jamil said Pakistan was interested in strengthening the infrastructure in Afghanistan and further expanding two way trade, which has now touched $1 billion. The Afghan minister thanked the government and people of Pakistan for providing generous help to their Afghan brothers during their long stay in Pakistan. He said the religious and cultural ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan were deep-rooted and Pakistan was taking keen interest in the reconstruction of Afghanistan. Qasmi stressed the need for further strengthening the existing relations. He requested the Pakistan government to open a transport office at Chamman and also allow Afghan trade transporters to have access to Karachi and Qasim ports. It was decided that all issues would be sorted out in detail by the standing committees which would be constituted by July 15 and hold its first meeting in Islamabad on August 15, to present its report to the Ministry of Communication. Shahid Jamil assured the Afghan delegation that all their recommendations would be discussed in the Joint Economic Commission and approval would be sought. Chairman National Highway Authority, Maj-Gen Farrukh Javed informed the Afghan minister of the progress on the Torkham-Talalabad Road. He also offered help for the construction of other highways in Afghanistan. Meanwhile, Afghan Minister for Trade Dr Inayatullah Qasmi called on Minister for Railways Mian Shamim Haider and apprised him of the problems being faced by Afghan traders in shipments of their goods by trains from the Karachi Port to Afghanistan. He said goods reached too late in Afghanistan and no action was taken against the persons responsible for delay and pilferage. He said the Afghan government was keen to strengthen the rail and road links with Pakistan. He sought Shamim's cooperation to resolve the problems of Afghan traders. Secretary Railways, Shakeel Durrani informed the minister that the Afghan traders should lodge the complaint with the police about any complaint of theft or any other problem, so that legal action could be initiated. Railways Minister Mian Shamim Haider said the project of laying track from Chaman to Spin Boldak was under active consideration by the present government. After this the railways track would be extended up to Qandahar, he said, adding that both the projects would facilitate the Afghan trade. He assured full cooperation from the Pakistan Railways to the Afghan minister. << | >> |
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