Inadequacies in Afghanistan ,Pakistan transit trade agreement : challenges and opportunities.

Abstract

The research intends to evaluate inadequacies of Afghan Transit Trade (ATTA) in general and Afghanistan Pakistan Transit Trade (PTTA) in particular to ascertain opportunities & challenges to formulate legal resolve for reciprocal Pakistan trade with CASs across Afghanistan. The trade with Afghanistan is imperative for Pakistan due to Pakistan’s strategic and geographical key position in the region and Afghanistan immediate neighbor as gateway to CASs. Unfortunately, due to dubious regional politics, economic uncertainty, Durand line issues, Indian hegemonic influence and US interference, diplomatic relations remained poor since 1961. In 1965 both the countries entered into a trade agreement (ATTA), promoting Afghan trade granting access to the sea ports of Pakistan under international convention. Pakistan also desired to extend trade to the CASs but Soviet-Afghan War adversely affected Afghan’s economy, geopolitics in 1980s, the post 9/11 and NATO supplies further worsened the situation. In July 2010, under supervision of US Secretary Hillary Clinton transit trade pact of 1965 was revised as APTTA, signed in October 2010. Afghan trucks were allowed inside Pakistan up to Wagah border. Pakistan was permitted access through Afghanistan to Iran via Islam Qila & Zaranj, Uzbekistan via Haraitn, Tajikistan via Ali Khanum/Sher Khan, Turkmenistan via Aqina and Torghandi crossings. Pakistani goods were to enter Afghanistan via Torkham, Ghulam Khan & Chaman border crossings1 but that never flourished owing to border exigencies, increased smuggling/ terrorist activities. Correspondingly, Afghanistan did not extend reciprocal trade rights to Pakistan. On 23 October 2017 the Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani unilaterally announced expiration of APTTA2: thus it unlocks the door to necessitate sorting inadequacies in vogue with suggested remedial measures and proposed legal structure to afforded reciprocal trade openings for Pakistan.