Pakistan's government Wednesday ordered that 60 percent of Afghan-bound containers stranded in Karachi port should be shipped to Afghanistan within the coming 60 days.
National Logistic Cell (NLC), a transportation company owned by Pakistan's government, ships Afghan trade containers, but Pakistan's Prime Minister has said that other cargo companies should also take part in the transportation of Afghan goods.
Pakistan's Premier Yousuf Raza Gilani called on other transportation companies mostly because NLC has a small capacity compared to the number of containers stranded for months in the Karachi port.
But Afghan traders are not optimistic about Pakistan's promise.
"Considering the situation, I don't think they would take a serious step about Afghan-bound goods. We hope the challenges to be resolved soon and there is no more problem ahead of our traders in the future," Deputy Head of Afghan Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Khan Jan Alokozai, told TOLOnews.
Pakistan's embassy in Kabul said that it is making efforts to resolve problems facing Afghan traders.
"Pakistan's government and people don't want the goods to remain there. Because we have limited room there and it affects our own trade as well," Pakistan's ambassador to Afghanistan Mohammad Sadiq told TOLOnews.
The comments come as thirty percent of Afghan-bound goods stranded have been spoilt in the port.
Kabul has newly sent a delegate to Pakistan to discuss the containers issue with related officials.
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