Pakistan, Afghanistan agree to barter trade, facilities at crossing points

Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to establish a national-level coordination mechanism to enhance facilities at border crossing points and to start barter trade.

According to the 24News HD TV channel, Pakistan National Security Adviser Dr Moeed Yousuf who is also head of the Inter-Ministerial Liaison Cell of Afghanistan visited Kabul on Saturday and Sunday.

Special Envoy to Afghanistan Ambassador Muhammad Sadiq and senior officials of relevant ministries were part of the Pakistani delegation.

During the two-day visit, the National Security Committee met with Afghanistan's Acting Deputy Prime Minister Mullah Abdul Salam Hanafi and Acting Foreign Minister Mullah Amir Khan Muttaqi.

Dr Moeed Yousuf also held delegation-level meetings with other relevant Afghan ministers and senior officials to address humanitarian and economic issues.

Both neighbouring countries agreed to establish a national coordination mechanism to enhance facilities at border crossing points. They also agreed to start a barter trade for which immediate action would be taken.

Pakistan offered to assist Afghanistan in capacity building and training in various fields including health, education, banking, customs, railways and aviation.

The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to expedite the completion of three major connectivity projects, CASA-1000, TAPI and the Trans-Afghan Rail Project.