Yasir Ilyas 

 

ISLAMABAD July 19, 2010: Questions about ‘un-authorized trade’ in the pretext of  Afghanistan-Pakistan transit trade raised during the phase of drafting the broad based record note have been addressed properly in the dossier signed by the ministers of commerce of both countries here on Sunday.

 

The broad based record note signed in PM house by Minister of Commerce Makhdoom Muhammad Amin Fahim and Dr. Anwar-ul-haq Ahady, his Afghan counterpart in the presence of PM Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani and U.S Secretary of State Ms. Hillary Clinton, addressed all the apprehensions of this proposed trade and suggested a mechanism to prevent the un-authorized trade from this trade route.

 

The key points in this regard are that financial guarantees, equal to the import levies of Pakistan have to be deposited by authorized brokers/ custom clearing agents to check un-authorized trade. These deposits are released after the goods exit the country. In case of delay in exit of goods, guarantees will be encashed by custom authorities.

 

Both countries agreed in principal to install tracking devices on the transport units. Besides it both countries will establish a mechanism for custom to custom information sharing (IT Data & others). Drivers and cleaners of these trucks enter/exit countries on permits, identified by biometric devices installed at entry points.

 

Another important feature of the dossier is that Arbitral Tribunal will be established, which will be comprised of two members from Pakistan and Afghanistan and a third neutral arbitrator. Both countries will jointly nominate the third arbitrator, in case of disagreement on the name of third arbitrator, both Pakistan and Afghanistan will nominate two names of non-nationals and non-residents and finally third member would be selected through drawing lots from these four entries.

 

Other than these features of broad based record note, it has also been decided that Afghan transit goods will be exported in containers of international specifications. Over sized and bulk cargo, which are not imported in containership load will be transported in open trucks and transport units. Perishable goods will also be transported through open trucks.