Pakistan, Afghanistan to set up working group

WASHINGTON: Pakistan and Afghanistan on Saturday agreed to establish working group to resolve all the outstanding issues.

The decision was taken during a meeting between Adviser to Prime minister on Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs Dr Miftah Ismail with Afghan Finance Minister Eklil Hakimi. Pakistan delegation led Dr Miftah Ismail participated in the IMF/World Bank spring meetings 2018 in Washington. The delegation attended a number of bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the main event.

In meeting with the Afghan Finance Minister Eklil Hakimi, the two sides discussed various issues adversely impacting trade flows between the two countries. They agreed setting up working groups to resolve them. The first joint meeting is expected to take place in early May. The Adviser briefed the World Bank and IMF officials about the current economic situation. He also drew attention to improvement in the country’s exports resulting from various policy initiatives implemented by the government.

The adviser also met President of the Asian Development Bank Takehiko Nakao and discussed Pakistan’s portfolio and future development initiatives.

ADB president assured the adviser of the Bank’s continuous support and role as Pakistan is major development partner.

The adviser also spoke on the development impact of the Belt and Road Initiative in Pakistan in a high-level roundtable chaired by the World Bank President Dr Jim Yong Kim.