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Central Asia road link

plan postponed

SHAHID IQBAL

KARACHI: Pakistan has postponed its three million dollar plan for a road link with Central Asia through Afghanistan, for an indefinite period. The project was scheduled to start on 15th April, said highly placed Islamabad sources on Sunday.

In dire need of an opening to the Central Asian market, Pakistan had announced a pilot project of road construction and repair in the second week of March, to link with Turkmenistan through Afghanistan. It was also announced that Pakistan had allocated three million US dollars for the purpose and would be seeking more funds from international donors.

The construction had to start from Chaman-Qandhar sector and then onward to Targhunday, the border of Turkmenistan.

The Federal Interior Minister, Naseerullah Babar was to visit Qandhar on 26th March but the visit was postponed. "All had been set to start the construction on 15th April but the government did not release funds", said the Islamabad source who is concerned with the project in Pakistan.

The total length of the projected road link is around 900 miles which is the shortest route. "The essential equipment and raw materials for the repair and construction work were ready to be sent to Afghanistan, but high officials in Islamabad have not been taking interest for the last two weeks," said the source.

On the announcement of road construction plan by Pakistan, Kabul government had reacted sharply and lodged protest against the plan terming it as direct interference in Afghan affairs. "The construction plan has become a political question, sources said.

It is generally believed that Islamabad has withdrawn the plan but no announcement has been made in this regard. "However, we have information that, for the time being, government has postponed the project" said the sources.

Apparently the project was postponed because of fresh battles between the rival forces in Afghanistan. The road was to be constructed in the area under the domination of Taleban forces who are engaged in a war with the Kabul government. The Kabul government has reportedly taken the matter to the Islamic countries, like Saudi Arabia and Iran. India is also opposing the road plan and has reportedly supported the Kabul government.

Pakistan's trade with the Central Asian countries is extremely small. Since 1993, Pakistan's total export amounted to around 200 million Us dollars only.