Pakistani exports move across the top of the world
From Our Correspondent, overland trade with foreign countries is gaining more and more importance in Pakistan which is now strategically connected with major markets by a network of magnificent roads and highways.
With China it is connected by a super Karakoram highway sweeping over mountainous ranges as high as nine thousand feet , he all- weather road, recently opened to heavy traffic is capable of taking on fivetonners.
The Soviet Union has already built a network of good roads connecting it with Afghanistan. From Afghanistan to Peshawar there is a good highway which is busy round the clock. All trade with Afghanistan is done through this highway. Trade with Soviet Union can also be carried on via Afghanistan. In fact in 1969 a convoy of vehicles carrying heavy machinery from the Soviet Union came to Karachi from Kushka in Uzbekiston. There is no reason why this route should not be used oftener especially since it promises an outlet for Pakistani goods to East European markets.
Similarly there is a proposal for overland trading between Pakistan, Iran and Turkey, members of the Regional Cooperation for Development (R.C.D). This proposal is currently under consideration by the three countries.
Pakistan will be connected with its partners both by Cento and Asian Highways. The Asian Highways—an ECAFE Project has completed its first phase linking Pakistan with countries from Teheran to Singapore, as well as providing feeder routes to many countries not on the main highways. It will also provide links with European and Middle Eastern highways.
The first stage of the Asian highway covers a stretch of 10,800 kilometers from Iran to the Republic of Vietnam. Considered as one of the most important routes in the network, the first stage stretch starts at Bazargaon (Iron-Turkey border). After crossing Iran, Afghanistan, West Pakistan, India, East Pakistan, Burma, Thailand, Cambodia and the Republic of Vietnam it ends in Saigon.
According to technical experts even of distances to be traversed, it would be far more economical for the commodities to move by land routes between Europe and western parts of Asia than by sea via the Cape. For instance the distance between Islamabad and Vienna by land is only 7,300 kilometers as against 17,000 kilometers by sea. The diversion of traffic to the roads would also avoid a number of transhipments.
The latest addition in the network o hightways linking Pakistan with its neighbours was the opening of the allweather Karakoram Highway which connects Gilgit with the Chinese border in Sinkiang, after passing through Hunza and “roof of the world,” the Pamir ranges, and goes as high as 9,000 feet at some places. From Gilgit to Hunza, the highway runs for about 80 miles and beyond to the Chinese border for another stretch of over 100 miles. The new road will not only benefit the economies of areas through which it passed, but would have far-reaching economic impact beyond the areas concerned.
During the fiscal year 1971-72 Pakistan and China are expected to make greater use of this road for trade purposes.
The volume of trade between Pakistan and China has expanded since the conclusion of the first trade agreement between the two countries in 1963. They have undertaken regular exchange of goods and raw material including cement, coal and rice from china, and cotton, jute and some finished goods from Pakistan.
Under the protocol singed in Peking in May last year mutual exchange of goods in valued at Rs. 11 million ($2.315-million),.
Recently, a Pakistan trade delegation singed a new agreement with China for expanded trade with that country. Pakistan may now also export textiles to China.
Use of land routes may therefore touch a new mark during the next fiscal year when all out efforts are being made by businessmen to increase exports.
Recently a high level conference in Karachi reviewed the country’s economic situation decided to increase Pakistan’s exports by at least Rs. 100 crores (about US$208-million) during the coming year. And the land routes will contribute a large share of the target.
Reference: Hindustan Standard 14.7.1971