CPEC offers great opportunities for Afghanistan, says Afghan envoy

Mawlawi Sardar Ahmad Shakeeb, Afghanistan’s Chargé d’Affaires, highlighted the opportunities the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) presents for regional development, noting potential benefits for Afghanistan. Speaking at the “Strengthening Economic Ties between Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Central Asia” seminar hosted by the Institute of Regional Studies, Shakeeb assured that Afghanistan would prevent its territory from being used by terrorist groups against Pakistan.

Shakeeb emphasized that Afghanistan’s inclusion in the Belt and Road Initiative would boost its infrastructure and enhance regional unity. He voiced Afghanistan’s commitment to trilateral cooperation with Pakistan and China as a pathway to new regional collaborations. Recognizing Pakistan as a primary trade partner, he expressed the Afghan interim administration’s dedication to boosting trade and investment with Pakistan despite recent trade challenges. He identified key obstacles, including Western sanctions, border closures, customs limitations, tariff hikes, and vehicle checks.

He advocated for joint investments in trade infrastructure, simplified customs procedures, improved transportation links, strengthened trust, and expanded diplomatic engagement for sustainable trade benefits. Further, Shakeeb stressed the importance of avoiding restrictive economic measures that hinder regional cooperation, thereby calling for enhanced cooperation in economic policies and transit projects.

Highlighting Afghanistan’s strategic role as a bridge between South and Central Asia, Shakeeb also noted Afghanistan’s ongoing work on the TAPI gas pipeline and Kazakhstan’s interest in the project. He also mentioned efforts on initiatives like the Trans-Afghan Railway and CASA-1000.

Moreover, IRS President Ambassador Jauhar Saleem added that peace and stability in Afghanistan are essential for regional trade and prosperity, warning that insecurity could jeopardize efforts for economic cooperation and mutual prosperity in the region.