our correspondent
LANDIKOTAL
Federal minister for religious affairs and interfaith harmony doctor Noorul Haq Qadri on Sunday visited Torkham border town where he met with traders, Khyber Chamber of Commerce (KCC) and Custom Agents Association office holders.
The minister also visited various sections of offices and directed officials to ensure smooth passengers and vehicles documentation process so that they could strengthen trade and bilateral ties with Afghanistan.
Torkham custom association office barriers Ablan Shinwari, Mujeeb Shinwari, Irshad Khan Afridi and Jamshed told the federal minister that they were facing problems including faulty vehicles scanner, none availability of internet and electricity at Torkham border. They told the minister that tax collection at Torkham custom house was gradually dropping down due unnecessary trade conditions FBR imposed on importers and exporters. They said not only custom clearing agents but traders and transporters were fed up of the poor performance and folded corruption taking place at Torkham border. The custom agents told the federal minister that custom officials impose new conditions time to time that discouraged importers and exporters to abandon their trade with Afghanistan via Torkham border.
They accused that some of the custom officials have their touts who collect illegal money from blacksheeps in the traders’ community to export substandard and fake items from and Pakistan to Afghanistan.
Dr Noorul Haq Qadri assured the custom agents and KCC representatives he would take up their issues with high ups at federal level. He said that soon they would call a joint meeting of clearing agents and KCC office holders with the Federal Board of Revenue officials to resolve their issues.
Torkham custom clearing agents and KCC representatives thanked the minister for his visit to Torkham border to heard their problems.
