LANDIKOTAL
Pakistan-Afghanistan busy border crossing at Torkham remained closed for the fifth consecutive day, bringing trade activities and pedestrian movement to a halt on both sides, sources said.
Due to the prolonged closure, transporters, drivers, customs clearing agents, traders and passengers facing severe difficulties.
Torkham custom agents association president Mujeeb Khan Shinwari told The News that the suspension of trade had also caused financial losses to businesses and delays in the transportation of goods.
He said border authorities had held talks with Afghan counterparts but failed to resolved the issues. Mujeeb qouted custom and border officials said that until and unless Afghan authorities not stop the construction work on the disputed bunker on the Afghan side of the border they would not restore movement via Torkham border crossing.
Custom clearing agent and Jameat Ulema-e-Islam Islam(F) senior leader Qari Nazeem Gul said transporters and drivers have expressed frustration over the situation, urging authorities to take immediate steps to resolve the issue and reopen the border.
He said several rounds of talks held between border authorities of Pakistan and Afghanistan but failed to reached to the peaceful conclusion.
Experts said more than three million US dollars business take place via Torkham border with Afghanistan. They said traders and transporters have suffered more than 12 million US dollars losses in the past four days.
