In July 2010, a Memorandum of understanding (MoU) was reached between Pakistan and Afghanistan for the Afghan-Pak Transit Trade Agreement (APTTA), which was observed by U.S. The two states also signed a MoU for the construction of rail tracks in Afghanistan to connect with Pakistan Railways (PR),[19] which has been in the making since at least 2005.[20]
In October 2010, the long-awaited Afghan-Pa
k Transit Trade Agreement (APTTA) between the two states was finally inked. The landmark agreement was signed by Pakistani Commerce Minister Makhdoom Amin Fahim and Anwar ul-Haq Ahady, Afghan Ministry of Commerce. The ceremony was attended by Richard Holbrooke, U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, and a number of foreign ambassadors, Afghan parliamentarians and senior officials.[1] It would allow each nation's shipping trucks into the others; Afghan trucks will be allowed to drive through Pakistan to the Wagah border with India, including to the port cities of Karachi and Gwadar.[21]
In November 2010, the two states formed a joint chamber of commerce to expande trade relations and solve the problems traders face.[22][23] The APTTA agreement has taken effect after several Afghan trucks delivered fruits from Afghanistan to the Wagah border with India in June 2011. With the completion of the APTTA, the United States and other NATO member states are planning to revive the ancient Silk Road. This is to help the local economies of Afghanistan and Pakistan, by connecting South Asia with Central Asia and the Middle East.[24]
In July 2012, Afghanistan and Pakistan agreed to extend APTTA to Tajikistan in what will be the first step for the establishment of a North-South trade corridor. The proposed agreement will provide facilities to Tajikistan to use Pakistan’s Gwadar and Karachi ports for its imports and exports while Pakistan will enjoy trade with Tajikistan under terms similar to the transit arrangement with Afghanistan.[25]
The agreement was intended to improve trade between the two countries but Pakistan often delays Afghan-bound containers,[26] especially after the 2011 NATO attack in Pakistan
