For fifth day, trade suspended with Kabul

QUETTA: Transit trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan remained suspended for the fifth day in a row on Thursday due to a tiff over a computerised weighing system at the border town of Chaman.

Container trucks loaded with goods are queued up on both sides of the Durand Line, waiting for the border to open. And sources say a conference will be convened soon to end the stalemate.

Meanwhile, the Chaman Chamber of Commerce and the Clearing Agents Association have threatened suspension of trade with Afghanistan if the row is not resolved immediately.

They also threatened to close the Quetta-Chaman Highway at Khojak Pass. They also voiced fears that the perishable items loaded in the containers would rot away.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 10^th, 2017.