F.P. Report
LANDI KOTAL: Business communities and reporters disapproved the closing of Torkham crossing as it remained suspended for the fifth consecutive day here on Wednesday.
It is to be mentioned here that Torkham border was closed, when entry of Pakistan bound drivers was restricted at the crossing on last Saturday without proper visa and passport and in reaction Afghan officials blockaded entry of Pakistan national transporters.
According to the custom official in Torkham approximately 68.4 million rupees ($ 2.4 million) loss is done daily to the national exchequer.
Scores of trucks, loaded with export fruits and vegetables (mango, tomato, banana, cucumber etc.) that struck at the border got rotten that imposed heavy financial loss on the exporter.
Muslim Khan, a banana exporter to Afghanistan said that in off season 70 to 80 grocery loaded vehicles exported across the border.
He maintained that heavy loss had been inflicted on them as the fruits and vegetables, they exported decayed in one or two days.
He suggested to separate politics from trade and initiatives should be followed to enhance bilateral business.
One of a driver, Sadiq, an Afghan national who was trapped at the border for the last five days said that due to the border crossing, he along with hundreds served their lives under an open sky in the chilly weather.
He maintained that because of the lack of facilities in Pak embassy and councils in Afghanistan, it was impossible for them to get a Pakistani visa even in six months.
On the other hand the business communities resented the prolonged shutting of the border.
In a meeting held in Torkham on the last day that was attended by Khyber Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief Jawad Kazmi, President of Clearing Agent Association, Torkham Aimal Khan, chief of Transport Association, Torkham Azeemullah besides traders and clearing agents.
They thoroughly discussed the border closing and issues related to bilateral trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The participants through a unanimous resolution demanded of the government to forthwith resume the crossing and asked for relaxation in visa process for the drivers.
Meanwhile a protest rally was also taken out here in Torkham on Wednesday that was attended by a number of custom clearing agents and drivers.
They marched from the export terminal to NADRA gate demanding Pak-Afghan governments to settle all through dialogue and resume the trade via the Torkham border.
