Closure of Torkham crossing stirs alarm

SCCI says 7,500 trucks stranded on both sides of the Pak-Afghan border

PESHAWAR:

Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) President Muhammad Ishaq has expressed serious concerns over blockage of a large number of export and transit trucks at the Torkham crossing because of the closure of the border.

He urged the Afghan government to review its decision and issue orders for the immediate opening of the border. Talking to a delegation of traders and exporters here at the chamber on Wednesday, Ishaq said a long queue of 7,500 export and transit trucks, loaded with sugar and other perishable items, could be seen from Torkham to Hamza Baba Chowk.

On the other hand, the SCCI chief said the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has allotted a quota for 45 days of sugar export, and 22 days so far have already elapsed. Whereas, he added, traders are bearing Rs45,000 per truck as demurrage charges and Rs6,000 as halting charges per vehicle on a daily basis. He said the Pak-Afghan traders are facing huge financial losses due to the closure of the border.

Ishaq said when they contacted the Pakistani authorities, the officials informed them that the border was closed by Afghanistan, which has caused the piling up of a large number of export and transit trade trucks.

He, therefore, urged the Afghan government to revisit its decision as closure of the border was not in the best interest of Pak-Afghan traders, bilateral trade as well as transit trade.

The SCCI chief emphasized that Islamabad and Kabul should sort out all issues by holding a joint sitting and prevent any damage to Pak-Afghan bilateral and transit trade. Ishaq said the government of Pakistan has issued clear instructions to utilize all possible resources to facilitate Pak-Afghan trade and transit trade.

As per directions, the SCCI chief said the Pakistan officials concerned told him that pragmatic steps are being taken for carrying out smooth and speedy bilateral trade.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 23^rd, 2023.