Islamabad: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said that if Afghanistan changes its trade routes and chooses countries like Iran, Turkey or Turkmenistan, it will not harm Pakistan’s interests, but rather this process can prove positive for border management.
Reacting to the statement of Afghanistan’s Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, he said, “This is an internal matter of Afghanistan; they can go wherever they find a cheap route.”
According to Khawaja Asif, most of the goods booked for Afghanistan from Karachi Port circulate in Pakistan, so taking alternative routes to Afghanistan will not have any negative impact on Pakistan’s economy.
The Defense Minister added that the reduction in border traffic will reduce the movement of terrorist elements and further strengthen Pakistan’s security. According to him, this situation could prove to be a “hidden blessing” for Pakistan as it will not only reduce trade pressure but also improve peace and order.
