Pakistan, Afghanistan agree to reopen trade route on June 22

ISLAMABAD (Xinhua): Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to reopen a key route for cross-border trade between the two neighbouring countries starting next Monday.

According to an international news agency, the decision aimed to give a major boost to bilateral trade as it will facilitate economic activities in both countries.

Talking to the news agency, Afghan Ambassador to Pakistan Atif Mashal confirmed that Islamabad had agreed to open the Ghulam Khan crossing point next Monday.

He said, “Ghulam Khan crossing will be opened for exports and imports, becoming the third major route for bilateral trade between the two countries.”

The Ambassador further said that Afghan traders will also export their fresh fruits via other border crossings of Torkham and Chaman. “It is the peak time for Afghan exports of fresh fruits and vegetables as both are now ready for export,” he added.

A Pakistani official in North Waziristan tribal district told the media that officials of the two countries had agreed on arrangements for the cross-border trade in view of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The government had closed the Ghulam Khan border in North Waziristan tribal district in June, 2014 after the military launched a major operation against local and foreign militants in the area.