Businesspeople in the southeastern province of Paktia called for the Gardez-Patan highway to become a transport option between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

They said that imports and exports could be done with easy access through this highway.

“If this highway became a transit path, in addition to facilitating trade, it will create further job opportunities for the people of Paktia,” said Mohammad Wali, a trader.

“If this path is made for transit, the commodities that the traders import from Pakistan will have less cost,” said Jalil Ihsas.

The Islamic Emirate’s Spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said that the issue of turning the highway into an Afghanistan-Pakistan transit option is being considered.

“The issue of making this highway a transit path has been shared with the cabinet,” Mujahid said.

The Paktia Chamber of Commerce and Investment said that exports via this path have increased and there have been exports worth $150 million to Pakistan this year.

“The exports and imports via this path have increased. The traders in Paktia have called for this path to become a transit path,” said Hassibullah Gardizi, head of the chamber of commerce and investment in Paktia.

The Gardez-Patan highway is in the Dand-e-Patan district of Paktia, which is located alongside the Durand line.