LAHORE: In a rare event of good luck and consistent efforts of Pakistan Customs Preventive Collectorate Lahore, the Indian government released Pakistani truck driver Ali Muhammad son of Zain-ud-din a resident of Zairaki Chalari Samak Khel PO Makin district North Wazirstan. He was arrested by the Indian police due to an unfortunate incident on 27th April 2015, wherein an Indian laborer was crushed under a Pakistani truck during the unloading of gypsum consignment and he died on spot at Indian Customs Port area at Attari.
Currently trade between India and Pakistan is primarily administered through Land Freight Unit Wahga (LFUW) through long haul vehicles and containers. There are designated areas where trucks carrying goods from Pakistan can pass on to designated Indian customs territory. This area is gated with high security and the goods are unloaded there from where these are loaded on to Indian trucks to be supplied to the rest of the country. After unloading the goods in India, the Pakistani driver is bound to return to Pakistan along with his truck within the same day as a time specific Special Entry Permit is issued by Customs at the Wahga Border.
Since the unfortunate accident, Pakistan Customs consistently took up the issue of release of Pakistani driver with Indian authorities through Indian Customs on the platform of Customs Border Liaison Committee (CBLC). Governments of Pakistan and India has established CBLC as an effective platform between two Customs administrations to ensure smooth flow of bilateral trade. The scope of CLBC extend to all issues pertaining to or emanating from border trade between India and Pakistan through Wahga.
The matter regarding arrest of above named Pakistan driver was taken up vigorously and consistently in the Customs Liaison Border Committee meeting held between Indian and Pakistani Customs since the arrest. The Indian Customs conveyed concerns of Pakistan on this issue to their government and made efforts to get the release of Pakistani driver affected. In the last meeting held in India 28th of January 2016 the matter was again raised by Pakistani side and Indian side informed that all out efforts are being made in this regard and the Pakistani driver is expected to be released soon. Finally yesterday, Pakistan Customs received the good news that the driver has been finally released and legal formalities has been completed in this regard to hand over the driver to Pakistan.
Tauqeer Ahmed Dar Deputy Collector Customs Land Freight Unit Wagha was among the team receiving the driver at point zero. So far CBLC has been able to resolve many small and big irritants hampering smooth flow of trade between India and Pakistan. It is expected that this forum will play important role in future when trade volumes are increased significantly. This platform therefore needs to be strengthen further to ensure regional connectivity in order to ensure more markets for exports of Pakistan products.
