Afghan bulk cargo import allowed

KARACHI: The Ministry of Commerce has allowed import of Afghan bulk cargo of wheat, sugar and fertilisers at the Gwadar Port, and onward transit to Afghanistan.

The decision was taken at the request of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PAJCCI), Gwadar International Terminals Limited and other stakeholders. They had requested the ministry to allow import of Afghan bulk cargo at the Gwadar Port and onward transit to Afghanistan in sealable trucks.

“The petitions have been examined in light of the Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement (APTTA) 2010, and in view of the provisions of the APTTA, the petitions of the stakeholders, and for the sake of efficient and cost-effective operationalisation of the Gwadar Port and the western-corridor of the CPEC, the import of Afghan bulk-cargo of wheat, sugar and fertilisers at the Gwadar Port and onward transit to Afghanistan shall be permitted in bonded carrier, insured and sealable trucks having a tracking device installed on them,” a notification noted.

Customs authorities are advised to take necessary and cost efficient measures to ensure the en route security of the cargo.