KABUL/ISLAMABAD (SW) – Afghanistan and Pakistan have reached an agreement on a joint mechanism for the transit of freight trucks between the two countries, said officials at the Islamic Emirate Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation.
Imamuddin Ahmadi, spokesperson for the ministry told Salam Watandar that Afghanistan and Pakistan have temporarily agreed to issue temporary transit documents to commercial freight truck drivers.
Ahmadi added, “The mentioned document will be distributed to Afghans at the Pakistan Embassy in Kabul and its consulate in Kandahar, while Pakistanis will receive this document at the Afghan Transport Authority offices in Peshawar and Quetta. We urge freight truck drivers to complete their necessary documentation at the ministry by coming days till May, 31.”
Officials at the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation warn that after the May 31, freight truck drivers would not be able to transit between these two countries without the new document.
Officials at the Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PAJCCI) say that issuing temporary documents will facilitate the transportation of commercial goods between the two countries.
Naqibullah Safi, Chief Executive Officer of PAJCCI, says that aligning with this new mechanism will lead to growth in bilateral trade.
“We believe that we have many transportation problems in the trade process with Pakistan, and if it is adjusted, many of our problems will be solved, and we believe that more bilateral trade growth is better. We ask truck drivers to obtain this document,” he added.
[fficials at the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment welcome the signing of the temporary agreement, stating that this mechanism will ensure that freight trucks transporting commercial goods between Afghanistan and Pakistan operate legally.
Khairuddin Mayel, Deputy for the chamber, said, “It is better for vehicles –drivers- to move to neighboring countries by obtaining a temporary license; they can travel lawfully and not have any problems at the border.”
It is worth mentioning that last year, Pakistani border guards repeatedly closed the Torkham border crossing to Afghan freight truck drivers for not having passports and visas.
