ISLAMABAD, Oct 9: Pakistan to open an overland trade route with Central Asia via Afghanistan this month by sending commercial convoys to the region, a federal minister said here Saturday, reports AFP.

The convoys, starting from Quetta in southwestern Pakistan on October 15. will pass through Kandahar and Herat in Afghanistan on their way to Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. Interior Minister Nasreerullah Babar said.

Babar, speaking to reporters after an overland tour of Afghanistan and Central Asia, said Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto would make an official visit to Turkinentistan on October 27.

He said the convoys would carry consumer goods and medic* »s. bringing cotton and cenu ' ‘o Pakistan.

Babar diu not u.pect any safety problems in Afghanistan because he said the areas on the route were peaceful and he received assurances during talks with Afghan authorities.

Babar said the Pakistani Highway Department would carry out road repairs along the 800-kllometre (480 mile) war damaged road, but foreign aid of 300 million to 400 ml) Hon would be needed for full repairs.