Afghan traders meet Consul General

Accuse Pakistani authorities of taking heavy bribes

PESHAWAR:

Consul General of Afghanistan in Peshawar, Hafiz Mohibullah, has demanded that the federal and provincial government should take strong measures to solve the problems of Afghan transporters in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P).

On Friday, he spoke to a delegation of transporters and traders at the Afghan Consulate in Peshawar.

On this occasion, representatives of Afghan traders and Secretary to Consul General Maulvi Noorullah were also present.

On this occasion, the Consul General assured the delegation that he will meet the provincial authorities soon to discuss and solve the problems faced by them.

Due to the ban on extra drivers at the border, accidents and difficulties for transporters are increasing day by day, he was informed.

Police and traffic officers continue to use different fines as an excuse to demand money from Afghan vehicles as they travel from Torkham to Attock.

The amount of bribe being received from a vehicle between Torkham and Attock is reportedly more than Rs35,000.

At two locations in Kohat and Hangu, gang tax is being collected on the pretext of unlawful weight (overloading).

The delegation recommended allowing one spare driver in each truck and a conductor in order to avoid overburdening of a single driver.

It may be mentioned here that millions of Afghans live in Pakistan both legally and illegally and in the past 40 years they have established their businesses.

They have a significant presence in the transport field as well as retailing. Afghan traders are also active in import and exports of different items including fruits, vegetables, coal, electronics and other daily use items. They often complain of harassment by Pakistani authorities in one or other way. Truckers and oil tanker drivers are especially allegedly harassed by police ever since attacks at oil tankers became common place after 2007. Police was assigned the task to stop night travel of oil tankers in the province to avoid attacks in the past.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 12^th, 2022.