ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Afghanistan failed to resolve differences on a new transit trade treaty, as both the states refused to budge from their positions, delaying an early agreement which may create a regional trade hub stretching from Astana to New Delhi.

The seventh round of talks, which continued for two days, remained inconclusive. In a joint communiqué, however, both sides agreed to continue discussions to seal an early agreement.

Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, Minister for Finance, represented Pakistan while Hazrat Omar Zakhilwal, Afghan Finance Minister, led his team. Under an American initiative both the sides initiated dialogue last year to sign a new transit trade treaty.

An official of the finance ministry said that both the nations could not reach an agreement, as Afghanistan refused to sign any deal without getting land route access to New Delhi through the Wagha border, a demand rejected by Islamabad.