PESHAWAR: The date expired for Pakistani transporters to travel to Afghanistan through Torkham border on original Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC). Hundreds of transporters remain stranded in Afghanistan.
On April 1st authorities have allowed transporters to cross the Torkham border into Afghanistan by showing their original CNICs at the border crossing. The deadline expired on Monday.
The MCC Peshawar said Collector Qurban Ali Khan has discussed the matter with high-ups in order to boldly take decision regarding the removal of hurdles while trading through Torkham border.
The sources said that in a meeting in Islamabad the Collector MCC Peshawar highlighted the issues at borders with Afghanistan in order to facilitate traders who do increase the federal revenue.
The Torkham Pass has a historic importance for trade through ages and it can be damaged in fear of attacks from the other side, he said.
On the other hand, transporters union President Shakir Afridi said that up to 500 drivers and conductors have crossed the border into Afghanistan during a three-day relaxation given to restart trading activity.
However, he said that only 300 drivers and conductors have returned to Pakistan so far. He added that a three-day relaxation was not sufficient as containers take four days to complete the trade cycle.
Meanwhile, thousands of loaded vehicles, including trucks and containers, are stranded on Pak-Afghan highway due to visa condition for drivers and conductors at Torkham border.
Shakir Afridi demanded Pakistani authorities to issue special passing cards to Pakistani drivers and conductors for crossing the border instead of visa condition.
Meanwhile, Superintendent Customs at Parachinar station said the trade didn’t restart through Kurram Agency once it was resumed by the government.
He added that closure of border caused huge loss to the revenue as border was not opened for a day once it was announced to not allow any sort of traffic to Afghanistan.
