175,000 tons of Pakistani goods transit Afghanistan this year

MAZAR-I-SHARIF (Pajhwok): The Afghanistan Railway Authority (ARA) department in northern Balkh province says 175,000 tons of commercial goods from Pakistan were transferred to Central Asian countries in freight trains via Hairatan railway line during the first 10 months of this year.

Maulvi Mohammad Safiq Mahmood, ARA director in Balkh, said 175,000 tons of potato, tangerine and ghee were transferred to Central Asia from Pakistan through railroads this year, generating $1.75 million revenue from transit duty.

Meanwhile, traders and their representatives emphasize on interaction and good relations in the field of trade with neighboring countries.

They say neighboring countries export their goods through Afghanistan, so they should also allow the goods of Afghanistan to be exported through their territory to other countries.

Ahmad Shakib Akbari, head of Balkh chamber of commerce, said that good relations between neighboring countries could lead to their common development.

He added commercial interests should not be sacrificed for politics because both were different topics.

Haji Qalandar Rahimi, a businessman from Balkh, said that through Afghanistan, thousands of tons of commercial goods of the neighboring countries were sent to Central Asia and many other countries.

He added the neighboring countries should also allow Afghanistan’s goods to easily reach other countries.

Abdul Naseer Reshtiya, economic affairs expert, Afghanistan was the best connection point for Asian countries and railway lines through Afghanistan could create many employment opportunities and generate millions of dollars revenue every year.

“Pakistan sends its commercial goods to Central Asia through Afghanistan, but it does not allow Afghan goods to transit its territory.

sa/ma

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