March 9, 2002	Saturday	Zilhaj 24, 1422

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PESHAWAR, March 8: Pakistan has decided to open consulates in Mazar-i-Sharif and Kandahar to promote trade ties with Afghanistan. The two consulates were closed following the fall of Taliban government.

This  was stated by the director-general of Afghan Trade  and Development Cell, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Anwar Mohammad Khan while speaking at a seminar on Trade Opportunities with Afghanistan organised by Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry here on Thursday. Provincial minister for industries Mohsin Aziz also attended the seminar.

The director-general told the business community that the government was planning to take full advantage of the current socio-political developments taking place in the war-ravaged Afghanistan. He said both countries had opened their embassies in Islamabad and Kabul while consulates in Mazar-i- Sharif and Kandahar would be starting functioning in days to come.

Besides, he said, talks were under way to start PIA flights from Islamabad or Peshawar.

Speaking at the seminar, provincial minister for industries Mohsin Aziz said the government would set up Afghan Trade Cell in the NWFP. He said political stability and security were pre-requisite for economic and trade uplift in the region, and asked the management of the chamber to launch a website for providing necessary information.

EPB representative Tariq Zubair said a list of country’s importers and exporters on its website would facilitate the donor agencies. The bureau had also requested the government to release $100m grant for the projects in Afghanistan.