KARACHI, Sept 22: Pakistan has waived all duties and demurrage on Afghanistan-bound merchandise which were imported and stored in bonded warehouse at Karachi Port for the last several years.

This was stated by the Commercial Attache of Afghanistan Mohammad Zia Yari while talking to APP here on Monday. He said that these goods, imported under Afghan Transit Trade Agreement (ATTA) were held for various reasons.

“The Afghan government is thankful to Pakistani authorities for this nice gesture specially President Pervez Musharraf who in his last visit to Kabul had promised to Afghan president Hamid Karzai for facilitating the import of necessary goods to Afghanistan,” Yari said.

He pointed out that Customs, KPT and Railways had agreed to waive all the duties and charges on these goods under “one window operation” two months ago. But these could not be shipped to Afghanistan as the importers of these goods live in several parts of Afghanistan.

Yari said that Commercial Section has started working at Afghan Consulate in Karachi to take measures for the release and shipment of these merchandise to Afghanistan.

“We have now written to Afghan Ministry of Commerce and Foreign Trade to make arrangements for the transportation of these goods to Afghanistan for onward distribution to the actual importers,” Yari said.

He said that the some of the merchandise have been damaged while rest are still in good shape and can be sold and used in Afghanistan.

He pointed out that steps have been taken to locate and inform the importers of these goods in Afghanistan so that they can themselves take possession of these merchandise and transport to their destinations in Afghanistan.

He said that a lot of potential existed for the promotion of two- way trade between Afghanistan and Pakistan. “We need every thing in Afghanistan which is struggling to promote business and revive economy under the leadership of Hamid Karzai,” he added.

Yari said that India, Iran and other countries were selling their goods in Afghanistan and Pakistan must explore this market which needs all merchandise.—APP