QUETTA Asia Pulse - Pakistan is planning to open a new route with Afghanistan on the boarder of Balochistan province and Zabul province as a step to improve bilateral transit trade.

Pakistani officials said on Thursday the new way will be opened in Qamaruddin Karez of Balochistan's Muslim Bagh district and join the Shinkay district in the southern Afghan province of Zabul.

Balochistan officials said the opening of the gateway was aimed at boosting trade ties between the two neighbours.

Spokesman Razzaq Bugty told Pajhwok Afghan News the decision was reached between Eng. Shahid Jameel Qureshi, Minister of State for Communications and Chief Minister Balochistan Jam Muhammad Yousaf.

He said the opening of the Qamaruddin Karez was an important step in expanding commercial relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Afghans would be able to carry their produce to international markets via this route.

The new route would also be linked to the Gawadar Port in Karachi, allowing Afghan products to easily reach world markets.

Chief of the Afghan consulate in Quetta welcomed the move as an important step in cementing bilateral trade relations.

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