India, Pakistan agree to build new check post at Attari-Wagha border

India and Pakistan have agreed to establish a new check post on the Attari-Wagha border for transportation of passengers and goods.

A seven-member delegation from Islamabad, headed by interior ministry joint secretary Shabbir Ahmad, would leave for Attari next week to discuss provision of infrastructure required for the project.

An eight-member delegation, headed by the senior joint secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs of India would share information with Pakistani officials about the establishment of an integrated checkpost by India on no man's land, near the Wagha border, for facilitating the flow of trade, worth $50 million per year.

Included in the discussion would be the construction of a connecting road within 150 yards up to the zero line, construction of the new gate at Wagha and removal of non-tariff barriers for facilitation of Pakistani businessmen wishing to export goods to India.

According to Ahmad who spoke to The Express Tribune, Representatives from both countries would discuss the modalities to abandon the present gate for passenger and trade movement, the present system of movement of trucks on the border and reinforcements for the new checkpost, The Express Tribune quoted Ahmad as saying.

According to officials, the checkpost would become operational in April.