Pakistan revising Afghan transit trade agreement

PESHAWAR (Pajhwok): In an effort to curb the smuggling of different items, the Pakistan government has initiated work to revaluate the Afghan Transit Trade Agreement (ATTA).

The Federal Ministry of Commerce has been ordered to float proposals for the revision of the Afghan Transit Trade Agreement and consult stakeholders in this regard, The News reported on Saturday.

Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif had asked the Ministry of Commerce for information regarding Afghanistan’s real import needs, the Newspaper said, citing unnamed sources.

While ordering a crackdown on the smuggling of essential commodities including fertiliser and sugar, Sharif has sought a report from the ministry in a month.

Meanwhile, the government has decided to set up an authority to prevent smuggling. The Ministry of Interior has been entrusted with establishing the authority.

Sharif recently chaired a high-level meeting on checking smuggling. A report was also presented regarding Afghan transit trade at the huddle.

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