Framework for road trade agreement with Azerbaijan in the offing

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Communications Maulana Asad Mahmood formed a task force to develop a legal framework for road trade agreement with Azerbaijan.

Federal Minister for Communications hosted a meeting of Azerbaijan’s seven-member delegation led by Minister for Digital Development and Transport Rashad Nabiyev to discuss road trade agreement and move towards a legal framework for trade.

The Federal Minister for Communications praised the delegation of Azerbaijan for coming to Pakistan and holding meetings with various ministries and officials to strengthen bilateral ties. Both Azerbaijan and Pakistan share the same agenda in terms of trade and commerce. He said that both countries could further strengthen the business and trade, as well as, public and cultural relations through land links and national highways.

Nabiyev apprised the Minister for Communications that Azerbaijan has paved new roads for the promotion of trade and public transportation by laying its network of highways connecting up to Bandar Abbas, Iran.

In response, Mahmood expressed Pakistan’s desire to expand land connection to Iran, Azerbaijan, Russia and Eastern Europe to boost the economy of regional countries and raise the living standards of the people.

The government of Pakistan stands ready for all kinds of assistance regarding road transport and trade. During the meeting, a task force was formed to develop a legal framework for road trade agreement, and Federal Secretary for Communications & Chairman NHA Captain Muhammad Khurram Agha (retired) will be the focal person on behalf of Pakistan.

The Federal Minister of Communications appreciated the fact that Azerbaijan supported Pakistan’s position regarding Kashmir. “Similarly, our position in some other matters is a mirror of mutual harmony. A road trade agreement will help in furthering bilateral ties to new heights.”

The Federal Minister of Communications also told the delegation that the Government of Pakistan is expanding its land routes to nearby countries by laying a vast network of important national highways in Balochistan.

Minister of Digital Development and Transport Rashad Nabiyev emphasised that coordination between the two countries in terms of roads and transport is a guarantee of economic development throughout the region.

Azerbaijan has heavily invested in road infrastructure, railways, and airports in some of its newly developed land areas, and the minister encouraged that Pakistan may benefit by using Azerbaijan as a transit route to the West.

The minister concluded that the process of laying land links and highways between Pakistan and Azerbaijan, through Iran, would promote trade, industry, tourism and culture between the two countries.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2023