Exports from Afghanistan to India decline because of the closure of Pakistani airspace

[Kailash Kumar]

Pakistan Airspace Closure Declines Exports To India: Official

Zabihullah Jahanmal

YESTERDAY

Critics called on government to make efforts for reopening Pakistan’s airspace to Afghan flights.

The closure of Pakistan’s airspace to commercial flights between Kabul and New Delhi has decreased Afghanistan’s exports to India by 30 percent, an official of Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI), a key stakeholder of the private sector, said on Saturday.

Afghanistan exports dry fruit, vegetables, fresh fruit, carpets and handicrafts to India, according to officials.

Pakistan closed its airspace to all commercial flights late in February after escalating tensions with India. The airspace was opened to some certain flights but it is yet to be opened for Afghan flights en route to India.

Afghan airliners are using Iran and China routes for Kabul-Delhi flights which according to airline companies is expensive and time-consuming.

Mir Zaman Popal, head of ACCI’s exports department said Afghan farmers and investors will bear the brunt of the airspace closure if it remains closed during the vegetable and fruit harvesting season.

“Closure of Pakistan’s airspace to Afghan flights is a serious matter and we know that the challenges will increase if the situation prevails,” Popal said.

Last month, Pakistan said its airspace on its eastern border with India will remain closed until June 14.

While Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan promised President Ashraf Ghani on the sidelines of the 14th summit of the Organization for Islamic Cooperation in Saudi Arabia to resolve the airspace problem, but so far, nothing has happened in this regard.

A spokesman of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Samir Rasa, said the country’s exports through air corridors will increase this year, but he did not comment on airspace problem.

Critics said the Afghan government should invest in land trade routes besides its efforts to establish more air routes between Afghanistan and other countries.

https://www.tolonews.com/business/pakistan-airspace-closure-declines-exports-india-official

 

[hasnainfirst]

Pakistan Airspace Closure Declines Exports To India: Official

Zabihullah Jahanmal

YESTERDAY

Critics called on government to make efforts for reopening Pakistan’s airspace to Afghan flights.

The closure of Pakistan’s airspace to commercial flights between Kabul and New Delhi has decreased Afghanistan’s exports to India by 30 percent, an official of Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI), a key stakeholder of the private sector, said on Saturday.

Afghanistan exports dry fruit, vegetables, fresh fruit, carpets and handicrafts to India, according to officials.

Pakistan closed its airspace to all commercial flights late in February after escalating tensions with India. The airspace was opened to some certain flights but it is yet to be opened for Afghan flights en route to India.

Afghan airliners are using Iran and China routes for Kabul-Delhi flights which according to airline companies is expensive and time-consuming.

Mir Zaman Popal, head of ACCI’s exports department said Afghan farmers and investors will bear the brunt of the airspace closure if it remains closed during the vegetable and fruit harvesting season.

“Closure of Pakistan’s airspace to Afghan flights is a serious matter and we know that the challenges will increase if the situation prevails,” Popal said.

Last month, Pakistan said its airspace on its eastern border with India will remain closed until June 14.

While Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan promised President Ashraf Ghani on the sidelines of the 14th summit of the Organization for Islamic Cooperation in Saudi Arabia to resolve the airspace problem, but so far, nothing has happened in this regard.

A spokesman of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Samir Rasa, said the country’s exports through air corridors will increase this year, but he did not comment on airspace problem.

Critics said the Afghan government should invest in land trade routes besides its efforts to establish more air routes between Afghanistan and other countries.

https://www.tolonews.com/business/pakistan-airspace-closure-declines-exports-india-official

Kiu ab dard ho rha hai namak haramon ko ... koi baat nhu aur danda do inko

 

[Tejas Spokesman]

Not a big deal.
Percentage of Indo Afghan trade passing through Pakistan has fallen from 95% to 43%.
Mostly Agricultural prodicts pass through Pakistan now.
Even that will change soon.

Indian govt is ready to subsidise the increased transportation costs for Afghan traders.

A MoU to this effect will be signed when Afghan Orez Ghani visits Delhi in August

 

[delta2]

Keep the airspace closed to the Indians indefinitely. They are extremely childish and cowardly and see any gestures of good will as a weakness.

 

[Dalit]

Not a big deal.
Percentage of Indo Afghan trade passing through Pakistan has fallen from 95% to 43%.
Mostly Agricultural prodicts pass through Pakistan now.
Even that will change soon.

Indian govt is ready to subsidise the increased transportation costs for Afghan traders.

A MoU to this effect will be signed when Afghan Orez Ghani visits Delhi in August

Exactly. As our distinguished Indian member has pointed out, nothing to worry for Afghans.

Since India is also magically making insane profits since Pak airspace closure Afghanistan should also be on the same path within a few days.

 

[masterchief_mirza]

Keep it closed.

 

[Dalit]

Keep it closed.

Not only should we keep the airspace closed. We should also seriously contemplate about repatriating Afghans in Pakistan.

 

[masterchief_mirza]

Not only should we keep the airspace closed. We should also seriously contemplate about repatriating Afghans in Pakistan.

Exactly. Who else takes on 4 million refugees for free? And then those refugees try to subvert the state. Ask mother India to take them.

 

[Indus Pakistan]

Exactly. Who else takes on 4 million refugees for free? And then those refugees try to subvert the state. Ask mother India to take them.

You don't have to look far do you? And they don't croak on about being Muslim or citadel of Islam. And yes keep the airspace closed.

 

[Pakistansdefender]

Well it didn't hurt much to Pakistan to keep air space closed and land routea blocked because Afghanistan is not going to be chummy with us and they are not even importing from us, so we cannot have more harm...
But in current economic situation if we allow Afghanistan and India land passage we can earn through heavy duties..
But first we need proper mechanism to seal border and stop the products swelling in Pakistani markets .

 

[masterchief_mirza]

You don't have to look far do you? And they don't croak on about being Muslim or citadel of Islam. And yes keep the airspace closed.

Not bothered about being citadel of Islam. Just keep airspace closed. Economic war is the way to go. Afghanistan should be taught a lesson. Look at how Iran has shut up after trump tightened the noose. Afg government should be made to come crawling for the crap it has done to us.

 

[Pakhtoon yum]

You don't have to look far do you? And they don't croak on about being Muslim or citadel of Islam. And yes keep the airspace closed.

We are the citadel of Islam but not for namak harms and namak harms are everywhere.

Not bothered about being citadel of Islam. Just keep airspace closed. Economic war is the way to go. Afghanistan should be taught a lesson. Look at how Iran has shut up after trump tightened the noose. Afg government should be made to come crawling for the crap it has done to us.

The government needs to grow a pair and close the border with afg and send back all first and second gen refugees. They need to understand the position they are in. IK needs to realize that not everyone is human enough to understand a swesw tongue. Some need to be smacked.

 

[ali_raza]

You don't have to look far do you? And they don't croak on about being Muslim or citadel of Islam. And yes keep the airspace closed.

welcome back dear friend

 

[Indus Pakistan]

namak harms and namak harms are everywhere.

And they are?

Afg government should be made to come crawling for the crap it has done to us.

Should we not be hanging Gen. Musharaf by the balls for helping to establish these illigitmate clowns in Kabul?

welcome back dear friend

Appreciated. You know despite the annonymity of the internet we are still humans behind the keyboards. Thanks for that sentiment.

 

[Pan-Islamic-Pakistan]

We should close Afghan airspace also until the next government comes to power.

We should adopt a strict policy on anti-Pakistan propaganda and war/hate rhetoric.

Both Indian and Afghan governments should bleed their pockets every time they mention Pakistan in any speech or rally.