The document proposes several opportunities for the US to help stabilize Pakistan's economy by utilizing returning cargo flights and empty shipping containers from Afghanistan: 1) Use return flights from Afghanistan to transport perishable Pakistani agricultural products and generate revenue. 2) Ship Pakistani farm exports in empty containers returning from Afghanistan to capture market share in destination countries. 3) Source bottled water and other supplies from Pakistani industries rather than imports to boost the local economy. 4) Help Pakistani food producers export meat, dairy and other products by developing an "Indus" branding cooperative and providing marketing assistance.

1. Moazzam Husain
January 2012

2. Following the events of the attack on Salala
military posts, relations are at a low ebb and
NATO supplies through Pakistan are blocked
Opportunity for US policymakers to break the
impasse and create goodwill
Build and stabilize Pakistan prior to pullout
from Afghanistan

3. Each month close to a thousand freighter
aircraft haul in provisions and supplies
for ISAF/ NATO into Afghanistan
◦ Aircraft chartered through civilian contractors
◦ US Military aircraft

4.  The aircraft are empty on the return flights
 In cases where possible, return flight can be used to fly out
perishable but high value Pakistani farm products
 Return flight path from Kabul /Bagram to touch down in
Lahore where landing and security arrangements can be
made
 Cargo is proposed to be containerized and consolidated for
pick up at Lahore airport – a warehouse and cold store
already exist
 At port of arrival, cargo will clear normal customs procedures
after which it shall be cleared to consignees
 This will offer a cost advantage – even if temporary - for
Pakistan to capture market share in end or transit
destinations to which these aircraft return.

5.  Every month 4,000 containers move from
Karachi port to various parts of Afghanistan
◦ Cargo for US/ ISAF forces
◦ Most are private – Mersk, APL, Haplog etc
◦ Many are US Military
◦ Some are reefer (refrigerated)

6.  On return journey these are empty
 In cases where possible, some of this
space be used for Pakistan farm
products to be shipped out
 Cargo will be consolidated at a pick
up point in Karachi – a warehouse or
a cold store
 This will offer a cost advantage –
even if temporary - for Pakistan to
capture market share in end or
transit destinations to which these
empty containers are shipped back
Since the start of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2001, war risk
coverage has pushed international shipping costs for Pakistan
to uncompetitive levels. Pakistani exporters have been
enormously disadvantaged. Now may be the time to make this
good to them

7.  Each month, reportedly 300-500 containers of
bottled drinking water, sourced from Dubai, are
brought to Afghanistan for consumption by US
forces

8. What would it take for this
requirement be sourced from
Pakistan’s large organised bottled
water industry which includes US
players like Coke (Kinley)and Pepsi
(Aquifina)
Similarly, how can we encourage the
US Defense Department to arrange
other non combat supplies, sheets,
linen, medical supplies by procuring
these from certified Pakistani
manufacturers?

9.  Pakistani food producers often lack the scale
and expertise to effectively brand and market
their products in export markets
◦ Meat and poultry
◦ Dairy, milk, butter, cheese
◦ Horticulture produce
◦ Juices, jams, concentrates, pulps and puree
◦ Specialty herbs, spices and pickles

10.  Assist in development and
registration of an “Indus” food
brand under which products
meeting certification and
traceability criteria will enjoy
“Indus” branding which may be
managed as a cooperative
 Other value addition:
◦ the services of a top marketing
thinker like Philip Kotler or Jack
Trout to lead and contribute to this
initiative
◦ Shelf space rental in US and EU
markets
◦ Advertising funds to create “Indus”
into a billion dollar brand

11.  http://moazzamhusain.wordpress.com/