ISLAMABAD, July 17: As Pakistan’s private sector imports Afghan coal to fuel their plants, the government and people of war-hit Afghanistan are in a win-win situation to benefit from the economic activity generated through the bilateral trade. Currently, three companies from Pakistan are in coal trade with Afghanistan as so far no agreement could reach between the two governments for the trade. However, as Pakistan and its private sector strive to support their Afghan brethren through revival of the economic activity, the hostile elements are poised to undermine the efforts to serve their vested interest. Recently, Afghan’s TOLO News reported that all of three Pakistani companies buying trade from Afghanistan were related to Pakistan Army and that they were purchasing the coal at reduced rates. But factually, the coal imports are undertaken by private companies on both sides having nothing to do with Pakistani government or institutions. Even, Afghan ministry of petroleum also denied existence of any official contract with Government of Pakistan or any Pakistani organization regarding the export of Afghan coal. The Afghan media report is based on misinformation and lacks authenticity as two out of said three companies are privately owned and have no links with the armed forces, an official source said. Currently, Afghanistan’s coal trade market is one of its biggest revenue resources, which is running an economic cycle benefitting the common Afghans from miners to transporters. As per Afghan Chambers of Commerce and Investment, the surge in exports of coal caused the rise in the country’s annual revenue. However, any false reporting and narratives are meant only to harm the livelihood of common people. The impression by Afghan media that Pakistan was robbing Afghanistan of its natural resources is an absolute fantasy because in this entire coal trade Afghanistan is in a win-win situation. – APP
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