ISLAMABAD: By developing infrastructure at Torkham border, the volume of trade can be increased between Pakistan and Afghanistan, Torkham Customs Deputy Collector Najeeb Arjumand has said.
In an interview with Customs Today, he said that a developed infrastructure will further expedite the clearance process of consignments resulting in the revenue generation. He said that after installation of the Web Based One Customs (WeBOC), the revenue generation increased up to five percent. He said that import module has been introduced but the export module will be launched later.
Despite not having the facility of electricity and proper infrastructure, the customs officials were utilising their all strengths to facilitate the traders, the deputy collector said. Almost two-three hundred vehicles crossed border from both sides in a day.
He said that Afghan traders did not prefer to use the Chaman and Taftan borders for trade but mostly used the Torkham as it is the only suitable and safe route to connect the Afghanistan with world.
There was no any terminal to offload the consignments due to which a mess of vehicles always observed causing a delay to the clearance of consignments, he said.
He said that facility of electricity was not available to Torkham due to which all work was done by using electricity generator, adding that the speed of the internet was not sufficient to handle all the matters expeditiously. The facility of telephone was provided just a month ago.
On Afghanistan side, the infrastructure was more improved and the electricity facility was also available to them round the clock, he said.
Pakistan imported fruits and vegetables from Afghanistan and exported cement, kinnow, flour and sugar in return; he said, adding that a limited trade of food and medicines was being made these days.
In winters, dried fruit, fresh fruits, coal and raw cotton were imported into Pakistan, while the trade volume increased between both countries in summer when up to 700 trucks were handled in a single day.
He said that customs agents were thinking that their functions would be limited after the installation of the system but it will benefit the both business community and customs agents.
Initially, two items are cleared through WeBOC, he said, adding that the government will get untold response if it equipped the Torkham Customs with latest technologies.
Adopting futuristic approach, the government should make plans, as this route (Torkham) would be used for trading with Central Asian States.
