ISLAMABAD, July 26: Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to curb cross-border smuggling and boost legal trade between the two countries. Official sources told Dawn that Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and Afghan President Hamid Karzai had decided during their meeting in Kabul on Sunday to substantially enhance trade between the two countries by effectively discouraging smuggling.

The issue was also discussed during the 5th session of the Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Economic Commission (JEC), held in Kabul from July 23 to July 24. The Afghan side was of the view that the two countries should share information about trade and smuggling.

The sources said that the Karzai government believed that sharing of such information would be beneficial to both the countries. Both the sides also agreed to establish “joint Pakistan-Afghanistan private sector transport” for improving the bilateral trade volume.

The Afghan government called for efficient and robust transport system for bringing further improvement in the trade. It said that trade and transport were inter-linked and that no trade could flourish without being backed by solid and efficient transport system. And it was in that backdrop the Afghan government had advanced the idea of establishing a joint Pakistan-Afghanistan private sector transport.

Pakistan, the sources said, agreed to train Afghan employees in the banking and financial sector at the Pakistani training centres and open more branches of Pakistani banks in Kabul.

Pakistan also agreed to train Afghan police, customs staff, employees of the postal and audit departments.

The Pakistan government was also requested to allow Afghan importers to import goods from India via Pakistan, the sources said, adding that Mr Aziz was told that Kabul wanted to receive 250-300 buses donated by the Indian government which may be allowed through Wagah border.

However, the Afghan government was informed that because no formal trade was taking place between Pakistan and India through Wagah border, it was difficult to immediately accept the request.

Once permission is granted by Islamabad, Kabul would also like to import cement and steel from India.

The Afghan side pointed out that due to different working hours at the border stations of the two countries, passengers and traders were facing problems in getting clearance of their baggage and goods and asked for synchronising the working hours at the border stations.

Pakistan, the sources said, had agreed to the idea and said that the Central Board of Revenue (CBR) would coordinate with the Afghan ministry of finance for adjusting working hours at the border stations.