Afghanistan Times
Related Articles
Experts believe that by establishing of Chabahar port, Afghan govt will rescue from Pakistan pressure
By Farhad Naibkhel-KABUL: The Mahmmoud Tarzi Think-tank asked the government to keep an eye open in the management of the Chabahar port, calling it a “good alternative” to Pakistan’s Karachi port.
Chabahar port is an Afghanistan, Iran and India project, which was signed recently between high ranking officials of the three countries. Afghan government and businessmen are optimistic for the port to put an end their dependence to Pakistan.
University Lecturer Qais Mohammadi said Chabahar links South Asia to Central Asia via Afghanistan.
“If the government fails to facilitate the traders in this route, traders will use Iran route as alternative way to reach to south and central Asia markets, so in this case Afghanistan economically will suffer enough,” he added.
Chabahar is a great alternative transit corridor for Afghanistan and it will put end to the landlocked challenge of the country, according to him.
Mohammadi said that although Afghanistan used Karachi, Gwadar and Waga ports were under monopoly by Pakistan and through created different challenges for Afghanistan exported goods.
Chabahar could be an international port, which won’t be under monopoly of any country, because three countries are involved in the port, he asserted.
“Afghanistan goods and fruits were stopped by Pakistan, so Chabahar will be a safer route for Afghanistan.”
He stated that Afghan government must ensure security on the route because transit way needs tight security.
Bakht Mohammad Bakhtyar, member of the sciences academy, said that Chabahar was politically, socially, culturally and economically important for the region.
“Pakistan always used Karachi and Waga ports as tool of political pressure over Afghanistan, where by completion of Chabahar Afghanistan will be rescued from limitation,” he emphasized.
Even Afghanistan can use Chabahar corridor as a tool of pressure and alternative against Pakistan, he mentioned.
Another Expert Sher Ali Tarzi said that Chabahar is a good competitive port against Karachi and Waga ports, which will link Central Asia to South Asia markets.
According to reports, Chabahar is a seaport in southeastern Iran. Its location lies in the Gulf of Oman. It is the only Iranian port with direct access to the ocean. Afghan people will be provided 50,000 hectares land for 50 years to establish commercial foundations in the port.
