Islamabad allows APTTA extension for 3 months

PESHAWAR (Pajhwok): Pakistan has allowed a three-month extension in the Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement (APTTA), which expires on Feb 11.

The APTTA extension came at a cabinet meeting that was reviewed the measures taken to control smuggling at borders with Iran and Afghanistan.

The decision taken at Tuesday’s meeting allows the neighbouring countries to finalise and sign a revised version of the agreement.

Afghanistan and Pakistan are currently holding discussions on amending and updating the transit trade deal that was signed in February 2010. The agreement expires tomorrow (Thursday)

Once revised, the agreement will allow Afghanistan access to Pakistani seaports and land routes to conduct international trade and export goods to India.

By the same token, Pakistan will get access through Afghanistan to markets in Central Asian states.

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