'Trade with Central Asian countries under TIR ​​agreement increasing pace'

Officials say Torkham border crossing will become a gateway for trade activities in the region

TORKHAM:

Bilateral trade with Central Asian countries under the Transport International Route (TIR) ​​agreement is gradually increasing pace was said by Additional Collector Customs Muhammad Tayyab on Sunday.

In conversation with the media during a function at the Torkham border crossing, the customs official stated that in one year, more than 80 containers of goods have been imported and exported through the border.

He also claimed that with the completion of the Torkham Transit Terminal Project, which is currently under construction in line with international standards, the Torkham border crossing will become a hub of trade activities for the whole region.

“Rice, leather goods, sports goods, medicines and various kinds of machinery have been exported to Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and other Central Asian countries,” he furthered.

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“The Torkham border crossing will be a gateway for trade activities in the region and will lead to a significant increase in the country's revenue,” he said.

A function was organised at the Torkham border crossing by Pakistan’s customs officials as the country continues to import and export with Central Asian countries under the TIR ​​agreement.

During the ceremony, TIR container number QAA 451 reached Torkham border via Uzbekistan carrying imported goods from Afghanistan. As the container entered Pakistan, Additional Collector Customs Muhammad Tayyab and other customs officials and traders welcomed the driver with bouquets and flower garlands.

Adeel Ahmed, a driver from Punjab, told the media that he had left Tashkent, Uzbekistan, for Pakistan three weeks ago with a container full of cotton. However, due to snowfall in the upper parts of Afghanistan, the journey took several days longer.

Ahmad added that the rest of the journey was comfortable and peaceful.

At the end of the ceremony, the customs staff cleared the TIR container, which later left for Lahore.