Afghanistan to move WTO against Pakistan

KABUL.

Pakistan closed all its border crossings with Afghanistan after a deadly attack in Sindh province on February 16.

Deputy commerce minister Mohammad Qurban Haqjo, addressing a press conference here, said closing the Torkham and Spin Boldak border gates was ‘a political move.’

On Sunday, the Afghan government summoned the Pakistani ambassador in Kabul and gave him notes to share them with his country’s authorities.

Haqjo asked the Pakistani government not to politically treat business and economy.

“No country has the right to shut its borders on commerce and transit even in war times,” he said.

Calling the Pakistani move against WTO agreement, he said: “Pakistan is a member of the WTO and it violated the agreement by closing its borders.”

The Afghan government has tried to resolve the issue through diplomatic channels, but Pakistan did nothing so far, Haqjo said.

However, he added Afghanistan ambassador in Islamabad on Sunday said the border crossing would be opened for passengers today and for commercial goods in the next three days.

Afghanistan would complain to the WTO even if the borders were reopened because Pakistan always created problems for Afghan traders.

A delegation has arrived in border areas with Pakistan to study losses Afghan traders suffered as a result of the closure of ports.

mds/ma

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