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.
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