CPEC is a pathway for Afghan economic revival: Afghan Chargé d’Affaires

Islamabad : The seminar “Strengthening Economic Ties between Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Central Asia,” organized by the Institute of Regional Studies (IRS) in Islamabad, emphasized Afghanistan’s role in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and regional cooperation. Afghan Chargé d’Affaires Mawlawi Sardar Ahmad Shakeeb, the event’s key speaker, discussed the mutual benefits that regional projects like CPEC and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) can bring to Afghanistan and its neighbors.

Mawlawi Shakeeb assured that Afghanistan is committed to ensuring its territory is not used against Pakistan by terrorist groups. He highlighted the potential of CPEC in opening economic avenues, especially for Afghanistan, which could enhance infrastructure investments and bring regional countries closer. Such trilateral cooperation among Afghanistan, Pakistan, and China could foster a new era of regional development.

Recognizing Pakistan as a major trade partner, Mawlawi Shakeeb underscored the Afghan interim administration’s commitment to strengthening trade and investment relations. He acknowledged existing challenges, including security issues, Western sanctions, and trade flow disruptions due to customs and tariff issues, which have hindered smooth economic relations.

To address these hurdles, he emphasized the need for joint investment in trade infrastructure, customs streamlining, and the expansion of transit projects to facilitate long-term economic benefits. He also called for diplomatic efforts to strengthen mutual trust and suggested refraining from restrictive economic policies that impede regional cooperation.

Mawlawi Shakeeb also elaborated on Afghanistan’s role as a geographic link between South and Central Asia. He shared updates on Afghanistan’s involvement in the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline and potential collaborations with Kazakhstan, as well as other initiatives like the Trans-Afghan Railway and CASA-1000, which aim to boost regional connectivity.

IRS President Ambassador Jauhar Saleem also spoke, emphasizing that peace in Afghanistan is crucial for regional trade and economic prosperity. He reiterated that insecurity in Afghanistan and the presence of terrorism could obstruct the regional economic cooperation essential for uplifting the region’s socio-economic landscape.