ISLAMABAD – *Pakistan’s Ministry of Commerce has expressed readiness tocooperate and assist Afghan investors in transport sector and investmentfields.*

Pakistani officials have declared that the increase of trade deals betweenAfghan and Pakistani traders is in interest of both countries.

Meanwhile, the Afghan Ministry of Commerce and Industry said thatAfghanistan is no longer affiliate to Pakistan, but the relations continuebetween the two sides.The country should separate politicts from trades,”said Sayam Pesarlay, spokesman of Ministry of Commerce.

Pakistan and Afghanistan are among each other’s largest trading partners.Though an agreement was signed in 2010 to strengthen trade relations andfacilitate Afghan transit trade through Pakistan, implementation has beenmixed, with many on both sides of the border complaining of continuedbarriers to exchange.

Despite past agreements, continued tensions have prevented the fullrealization of Afghanistan and Pakistan’s bilateral trade potential.