The Afghan-Pak Transit Trade Agreement (APTTA) signed in 2010 was a significant milestone for the trade relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan. The agreement aimed to facilitate the transportation of goods between the two countries and beyond, thereby promoting regional economic integration and sustainable development. However, the implementation of APTTA faced several challenges, including the hidden agendas of some stakeholders and security threats from terrorist activities. This article explores the impact of APTTA on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the potential for promoting regional connectivity and economic growth.

The SDGs are a set of 17 global goals adopted by the United Nations in 2015 to achieve a sustainable future for all. The SDGs are interconnected and address various social, economic, and environmental issues such as poverty, hunger, health, education, gender equality, clean water and sanitation, affordable and clean energy, decent work and economic growth, industry innovation and infrastructure, reduced inequalities, sustainable cities and communities, responsible consumption and production, climate action, life below water, life on land, peace, justice, and strong institutions, and partnerships for the goals.

APTTA can contribute to the achievement of several SDGs such as SDG 8 – decent work and economic growth, SDG 9 – industry, innovation and infrastructure, SDG 11 – sustainable cities and communities, SDG 16 – peace, justice, and strong institutions, and SDG 17 – partnerships for the goals. By facilitating the transportation of goods between Afghanistan and Pakistan and beyond, APTTA can create employment opportunities, enhance economic growth, promote infrastructure development, and foster regional integration. Moreover, APTTA can contribute to peacebuilding and conflict resolution by promoting economic interdependence and reducing the incentives for violence.

However, the implementation of APTTA faced several challenges, including the hidden agendas of some stakeholders and security threats from terrorist activities. The focus of some stakeholders on using Pakistani territory for Afghan-Indian trade instead of strengthening Pak-Afghan trade ties hindered the realization of the full potential of APTTA. Moreover, the security threats posed by terrorist activities from the Afghan side against Pakistan forced Pakistan’s border security forces to impose restrictions on goods transportation from Afghanistan to India. The attack by NATO’s AC-130 gunship helicopter, two Apache helicopters, and two F-15E Eagle fighter jets on a Pakistani checkpoint in the Mohmand Agency in 2011 further strained the relations between the stakeholders and disrupted the implementation of APTTA.

Despite these challenges, APTTA has the potential to promote regional connectivity and economic growth in the region. The proposal to extend APTTA towards Tajikistan can further enhance trade relations between the countries and contribute to the achievement of SDGs such as SDG 9 – industry, innovation and infrastructure, SDG 11 – sustainable cities and communities, and SDG 17 – partnerships for the goals. The engagement of the Afghan and Pakistani governments with the Taliban to ensure the protection of their respective regional connectivity proposals can contribute to peacebuilding and conflict resolution, which are essential for achieving the SDGs.

In conclusion, the Afghan-Pak Transit Trade Agreement (APTTA) signed in 2010 has the potential to contribute to the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as SDG 8 – decent work and economic growth, SDG 9 – industry, innovation and infrastructure, SDG 11 – sustainable cities and communities, SDG 16 – peace, justice, and strong institutions, and SDG 17 – partnerships for the goals. However, the implementation of APTTA faced several challenges, including the hidden agendas of some stakeholders and security threats from terrorist activities. The proposal to extend APTTA towards Tajikistan in 2012 could have further promoted regional connectivity and economic growth, but its success was also hindered by political and security issues. To fully realize the potential of APTTA in contributing to SDGs, all stakeholders must work together to address the challenges and ensure its effective implementation. This includes promoting peace and stability in the region, fostering stronger partnerships and cooperation, and investing in infrastructure and innovation to support sustainable economic growth and development. Only then can APTTA truly become a vehicle for achieving SDGs and improving the lives and livelihoods of people in the region.

Note: This article is written by Maryam Habib.