Afghanistan Times
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AT- Monitoring Desk-KABUL: The Ministry for Commerce and Industries said that it would officially lodge a complaint to the World Trade Organization (WTO) against Pakistan’s decision of closing Transit Trade Routes. The route has been shutdown since February 16.
Briefing newsmen, Deputy Minister, Qurban Haqjo said that closing of Spin Boldak and Torkham crossings were a ‘political move’, aimed at pressurizing Kabul administration.
He called on Islamabad not to politically treat business and economy, as it wound end up with heavy financial lose on both sides.
He added, “no country has the right to shut its borders on commerce and transit even in the war times.”
Moreover, he said that Pakistan’s acted against WTO agreement, saying Pakistan is a member of the WTO and the country violated the agreement by closing its crossings.”
He said that Afghan government has tried well to settle down the issue through diplomatic channels, but Pakistan seemed uncooperative so far.
“Afghanistan would lodge complains against Pakistan to WTO even after crossings were reopened, because Pakistan had always been created problems for Afghan traders.”
He furthered, a delegation has already reached areas in crossing points with Pakistan to evaluate losses of Afghan traders, suffered as a result of the closure of crossings.
The government has summoned the Pakistani envoy on Sunday in Kabul and handed over notes to him to share Kabul’s concerns with his countries leadership.
