Torkham: ‘Pak-Afghan border lacks security’

The official said the gate at the Pak-Afghan border is controlled by FC and the agency’s political administration

PESHAWAR:

Customs officials say the Pak-Afghan border lacks a foolproof mechanism to check containers transporting goods to Pakistan.

Officials of Pakistan Customs told The Express Tribune on Thursday the Federal Board of Revenue was informed of the matter in writing but scanners were not installed. They said they demanded again that authorities provide scanners as vehicles cross the border daily without being checked properly.

The Chaman and Taftan borders are located far from the industrial set-up in and around Kabul; a majority of the exchange between the two countries takes place at Torkham Border in Khyber Agency. This remains the most vulnerable when it comes to security loopholes.

Porous lines

A senior customs official, on condition of anonymity stated, “Several pushcarts and trucks travel across the border on a daily basis in addition to 25,000 people.” He asked, “How can you check thousands of vehicles and pushcarts without having a proper security at the border?”

The official said the gate at the Pak-Afghan border is controlled by Frontier Corps and the agency’s political administration. The customs officials deputed there only clear goods for transportation, he said.

When contacted, Customs Collector Qurban Ali stated they have been trying to make improvements; the National Logistic Company was recently awarded a tender to facilitate in security scanning, clearance and accommodating containers.

“Whenever any terrorism takes place, Torkham is identified as the route used by militants,” said Ali. “It is an established fact customs does not have a set-up to check thousands of vehicles.” He said the Asian Development Bank has planned to upgrade all trading points including Wagah, Chaman, Taftan, Karachi Port and Torkham.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 5^th,  2016.