M-14 to play role in poultry exports to Afghanistan

ISLAMABAD, Sept. 29 (Gwadar pro)- To help Kabul overcome its financial crises, Pakistan has lifted a ban on the exports of poultry and poultry products to Afghanistan. Ambassador Muhammad Sadiq, Pakistan's Special Representative for Afghanistan, announced the development from his official Twitter account.  

"It would not only reduce the prices of poultry in Afghanistan but would also ensure the supply of fresh chicken and eggs to the general population," stated the Ambassador.

He said that Pakistan is also working with the large poultry businesses to invest in joint ventures with Afghan traders so that the indigenous production of poultry in Afghanistan can be increased to a self-sufficiency level.

Afghanistan is an important market for Pakistani poultry and poultry products. The resumption of the poultry trade is good news for the farmers of Pakistan.

According to Pakistan Agriculture and Research Council (PARC), the country's indigenous poultry possesses bright prospects for the future and the business is increasing day by day. PARC has given special attention to the indigenous poultry industry that could be kept at normal villages/ home living conditions. The indigenous chickens have the advantage of being well adapted to the local environmental conditions whether it is hot, cold, or rainy weather. As the weather conditions in Afghanistan and Pakistan are not very different, Afghan farmers can benefit from PARC's work, enabling them to be self-sufficient in poultry products.

The poultry sector is one of the largest agro-based sectors in Pakistan with investments of billions of rupees, especially in Punjab province. The district of Attock is one of the main producers of poultry products in the country.

Hakla-Dera Ismail Khan Motorway (M-14), a project under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), passes through the Attock district of Punjab. The motorway, which is expected to be inaugurated for public transport next month, will serve as the main supply line of poultry products between Punjab, Pakistan and Afghanistan. M-14 joins the Islamabad-Peshawar Motorway (M-1) at the Hakla Interchange leading to Peshawar and extends to Afghanistan via the Torkham border crossing.