Transit Trade Agreements between Afghanistan and Pakistan: A Comparative Study of 1965 and 2010
Abstract
Afghanistan and Pakistan has signed two transit agreements in 1965 and 2010 respectively. These agreements were signed to facilitate Afghanistan with transit facilities and access to seaports for trading purposes. As trade always play a positive role to build peace and harmony between different countries, and can be used as an effective tool in developing progressive bilateral relations. No doubt, both Afghanistan and Pakistan have historical background of difficult relations but cultural, political and economic interdependence is an undeniable fact. Historically, Afghanistan had been using this route for trade but emergence of Pakistan as an independent state had a negative impact on transit trade for Afghanistan. There were number of issues which were responsible for deterioration and conflict between the two neighboring countries. Pahktunistan and Durand Line were the major issues of bone of contention among them. Later, both the countries signed Afghan Transit Trade Agreement in 1965 to formalize transit and trade related issues. This study is actually a review of transit trade agreement signed in 1965 and Afghanistan Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement signed in 2010. This study is also a comparative analysis of both the agreements signed for resolving transit trade related issues
Authors
Muhammad Owais
Ph. D Scholar, Department of International Relations, University of Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
Ashfaq Ahmed
Assistant Professor, Department of Politics and International Relations (DPIR), University of Sargodha, Punjab, Pakistan
Ishaque Ahmad
Lecturer, Department of Social Work, University of Sargohda, Sub-Campus Bhakkar, Punjab, Pakistan