Claim they do not want to hurt trade between Pakistan, Afghanistan. PHOTO: EXPRESS
In a bid to make peace with transporters who recently chided the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) led government for adversely affecting their businesses, PTI workers distributed gurh (jaggery) and shawls to Afghan Transit Trade truckers on Wednesday.
According to PTI youth wing district president Sajjad Bangash, the gurh and shawls were gifted as a “goodwill gesture and to clarify any misconception about protesters hurting trade between the two neighbouring countries.”
Members of PTI’s youth wing from all 11 constituencies of Peshawar were present at the Hayatabad Toll Plaza protest camp. Dozens of PTI workers and activists of coalition partners Jamaat-e-Islami and Awami Jamhoori Ittehad Pakistan were there to keep Nato supply lines blocked for the 26th consecutive day.
Eleven containers were stopped on Wednesday and drivers asked to produce documents showing the nature of goods being transported. Three trucks carrying solar panels lacked essential documents, according to the protesters, and were sent back while the rest were allowed to continue their journey towards Afghanistan.
The PTI-led provincial government maintains it will continue the provincial blockade until drone strikes come to a halt.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 19th, 2013.
COMMENTS (17)
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After the quagmire of halting the trade through historic Khyber Pass, PTI now stands for Pakistan Teledrama Inquilab :) It is always too hungry to remain in the deadlines.
Damage has been done. Pakistan may lose it's position as a gateway to central asia all together with the thaw in US-Iranian ties.
You want the American's to depart Afghanistan - then place impediments to their withdrawal? After the last embargo there were plenty of articles discussing the need to use brains/logic rather than emotions when dealing with the American's - short memory?
I have noticed pti supporters as being the biggest hypocrites in Pakistan
First Beat them, then feed them. Two Face Policy Continues.....I expect more beating/mis-behaving to follow.
Awesome! Polite, yet powerful.
Its against the law to stop a truck plying on the road. Private citizens have no authority to stop and check. Its sad and shameful that pti is encouraging people to take law in thier own hands. Especially since they r in govt and responsible for law and order.
@Zara:
truck drivers are sweating, they dont need sweet, need their cost.ask the kpk's government to pay them please.
@Anjum: At least they are far better than PML-N which forgets its voters and the core issues after coming into power.
that is 'sweet'
For how long this bribary will work?Truck drivers are protesting becuase they have lost their daily wages & bread and butter for their poor families. Another tactics by KPk's government.:) Instead of sweats and gifts the KPK government should offer them some work opportunities.
haha I like how the PTI workers administers things. Polite, yet powerful! Keep it up!