US presses Pakistan to allow transit facility to Indian goods for Afghanistan.

Islamabad—Washington is influencing Pakistan authorities to extend transit facility to India through Wahga border for export of goods to Afghanistan after deciding in principle to give India a big role in the war torn country after the US troops’ pullout.

The sources in the commerce ministry confided to Pakistan Observer saying that US is the sole driving force behind prompting Pakistan to extend the MFN status to India. Though authorities in Pakistan have approved in principle giving MFN status to India, but later on cabinet failed to get it materialized just because of the pressure from the establishment and other political and religious forces in the country.

Now the USAID officials in their meetings with the authorities at commerce ministry are exerting pressure to honour the long standing demand of India seeking transit of its goods to Afghanistan . The top political leadership of the country is also inclined to extend the transit facility, but the authorities in commerce ministry are resisting the pressure.

Afghanistan is the captive market of Pakistan and exports to Afghanistan are hovering around staggering $ 2 billion and in case India is provided the access to market of war affected country, then Pakistan ’sexports would instantly tumble to $ 1 billion. More over India would be in position to grab the market of Central Asian states. Right now Pakistan ’s goods are going to Central Asian States via Afghanistan.

The strengthening of Indian influence in Afghanistan would inflict huge loss not only to Pakistanis economic interests but would also endanger Pakistan’s western border. This will make Pakistan more vulnerable both in terms of losing the markets of Afghanistan and Central Asian States and exposing its western borders to constant threat.

Under SAFTA (South Asia Free Trade Agreement), Pakistan committed a big mistake during Musharraf regime by including Afghanistan in the SAARC family and under SAFTA, every country will be given the transit facility. “This is the main reason that US is exerting pressure to give India a transit facility for Afghanistan , which is the member of the SAARC and is also a land locked contracting state.”

Source : pakobserver.net