KHYBER
Traders and clearing agent associations demanded the Federal and Provincial governments to announce a financial relief package for them as they have suffered alot due to the blockade of Pak- Afghan border, Torkham.
Addressing to a press conference held in District Press Club, Landi Kotal on Wednesday All Torkham Clearing Agents Association flanked by traders Nadeem Shinwari,Ayaz Khan,Hakeemullah and others said that because of Pakistan and Afghanistan dispute, the western border had been suspending for the last more than four months.
Being citizens of Pakistan, we consent to the policy of the country; however, it has inflicted irreparable loss to the local businessmen and clearing agents, he said. He added that 90 % of locals who depended on the Torkham border were left jobless.
Most of the traders and clearing agents were bankrupted, he said and added their families were compelled to starve.
After the Karachi dry port, Torkham border was second, to generate more revenue for the country, he remarked.
He demanded of the federal and provincial governments to announce a financial package for the traders and clearing agents’ communities to get them relief of the unemployment and to support them in the time of need.
They also urged the two neighboring countries to settle all issues through dialogue and resume the border for trade and pedestrian crossing.
As per custom department data, 2.5 million dollars per day loss in export and 540 million rupees per day loss in import has been recorded to national exchequer in addition with particular loss of traders’ community.
