In a commentary today afor the Pakistani daily Express Tribune, Dr. Manzoor Ahmad—Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the World Trade Organization (WTO) from 2002 to 2008; and Director, Liaison Office, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to the United Nations from 2008 to 2010—looks at options for integrating Afghanistan into a “new economic partnership” with its Central Asian neighbors plus Iran and India, and naturally Pakistan. A crucial role will be played by the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which will be extended into Afghanistan, he writes.
“China is already the biggest foreign investor in both countries. It is building the Sino-Afghanistan Special Railway Transportation Project and the Five Nations Railway Project connecting China, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Iran and Afghanistan. Pakistan could also join this project.
