Import of groceries suspend at Torkham

Ahmad Nabi

LANDI KOTAL: Due to imposition of new import rules, import of fruits, vegetables and dry-fruits from Afghanistan to Pakistan halted at Torkham border that caused trading activities at the border beside a huge financial loss to the national exchequer.

This was stated by President clearing agent association, Torkham Haji Hayatullah Shinwari while addressing to a press conference held in local press club on Wednesday.

Flanked by senior-vice President Haji Tahir, vice-President Haji Wahid and others said in terms of import duties of groceries and dry fruits three million rupees were added to the national exchequer but the custom office, Torkham on pretext of producing the documents including (1) Import permit (2) Afaxation certificate (3) Quairtine certificate (4) Import release order and (5) Certificate of origin, suspended clearance of the import of the commodities. “Approximately 50 trailers load with the fruits, vegetables and dry fruit have stuck at the border for the last four days that is financial loss to the importers”, Shinwari remarked. There was no facility available at Torkham from the departments that issued the above mentioned certificates so how could the clearing agents would manage it to produce it, he questioned. The custom agents’ association officer bears were on the view that the fresh conditions that were set by the custom house without taking confidence into the association would not only close down clearing business at the border but would also suffer Pak-Afghan bilateral trading relations.

They urged the government and custom department to adopt relaxation policies for imports of groceries from Afghanistan because in case of restriction, the Afghan government would also repay in same coin. They threatened that if the newly introduced regulations were not revising within one week than they would have no option but to completely suspend import exports activities at Torkham border.