ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Friday ruled out the resumption of bilateral and transit trade with Afghanistan until the border security situation improves between the two neighbors, even as it expressed cautious optimism about the ongoing peace efforts and upcoming round of talks in Istanbul.
Addressing a media briefing in Islamabad, Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi said Pakistan has been engaging with the Taliban regime through diplomatic channels, citing the Oct. 18 Doha talks and the next round of negotiations scheduled to be held in Istanbul starting tomorrow.
Pakistan closed its key northwestern Torkham and southwestern Chaman border crossings with Afghanistan earlier this month, after deadly clashes between the two countries heightened tensions before a ceasefire was agreed.
“Till the evaluation of the security situation, the [Afghan] transit trade will remain closed,” Andrabi said, adding that Pakistan’s priority was the safety of its citizens and soldiers, not trade, at this stage.
As a landlocked nation, Afghanistan depends on neighboring states for trade to sustain its economy, with Kabul’s transit trade agreement with Pakistan the most vital arrangement made by the country.
