MAZAR-I-SHARIF - Afghanistan would soon sign an agreement with the Central Asian States which will open new venues and routes for the land-locked country, the Ministry of Transport said on Saturday.
Addressing reporters in Mazar-i-Sharif, the capital of northern Balkh province, Transport Ministry spokesman Hekmatullah Qawanj, said Afghanistan initiated major steps to resolve transport related issues on regional level.
He said the possible agreement was under consideration in Tajikisan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Iran and Pakistan at the moment.
He added the agreement would soon be prepared and its implementation would help Afghanistan find new linkages and road.
Qawanj said Afghanistan stopped Pakistani trade vehicles from traveling through the country. In the past Pakistani vehicles would travel to Heratan Port but Afghanistan transporters were not allowed to use Karachi port or other areas of Pakistan.
He said Pakistani vehicles would drop goods at Torkham and Spinboldak ports and from there Afghani vehicles would carry the goods to different destinations in the country.
The spokesman informed electronic gates would be established at the custom departments in order to stop corruption and graft. He added the country was facing huge transport issues; however, he pledged to resolve the problems as soon as possible. (Pajhwok)