ISLAMABAD: Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Sheikh Aftab said Friday Pakistan had already signed agreements with Central Asian States, China, India and Iran for facilitating transportation of goods and passengers.
Speaking during question hour in the Senate, the minister said agreements and protocols covered the adequate arrangements, however, security situation, delays in issuance of visas by Member States to the drivers, non-availability of guaranteeing mechanism for transit goods etc. were the major challenges which were raised at relevant forums for their redressal.
He said Pakistan Accession to International TIR Convention and improvement of three border crossing points at Chaman, Torkham and Wagah. would further facilitate the international transport.
Giving details of those agreements, the minister said a quadrilateral agreement for €˜Traffic in Transit among Pakistan, China, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan signed in March 1995 and enforced in May 2006 covered movement of goods.
While bilateral International Road Transport Agreement between Pakistan and China was signed in 1993 and enforced in 2006, facilitating movement of passengers and goods between Pakistan and China, he added.
The minister informed that bilateral Road Transport Agreement between Pakistan and Iran signed in 1987 and amended in 1992 was in operation and facilitating transportation of goods and passengers.
He said agreement between Pakistan and Iran on international Transport of Passengers and Goods by Road was signed in June, 2008 and both Pakistan and Iran had ratified this agreement.
He added three Bus Services were under operation on routes between Pakistan and India under separate Agreements/Protocols including Lahore-Delhi-Lahore Bus Service Agreement / Protocol concluded on 17th February, 1999, Lahore-Amritsar Bus Service Agreement / Protocol concluded on 21st December, 2005 and Nankana Sahib-Amritsar Bus Service Agreement/Protocol concluded on 21st December, 2005.
