Previously, over 2,000 vehicles were involved in export-import activities, but this number has now dwindled to around 500, indicating a substantial decline in trade volume
By Mehrab Shah Afridi
LANDI KOTAL: Trade activities at the Torkham border are facing severe disruptions due to ongoing policy changes and delays in the issuance of Temporary Entry Documents (TED). Leaders from various trade and transport organizations have called for immediate measures, including the issuance of temporary tokens for cargo vehicles, to alleviate the situation before the full implementation of the TED policy.
At a press conference held at the Landi Kotal Press Club, prominent figures such as Merajuddin Shinwari, Chairman of Torkham Customs Clearing Agents, and Amil Shinwari, President of the Torkham Transport Union, voiced their concerns. They warned that if temporary tokens for cargo vehicles are not permitted by August 22, a nationwide wheel-jam strike will commence, extending from Torkham to Karachi until their demands are met. The stakeholders highlighted the negative impact of recent policy changes on trade at the Torkham border. Previously, over 2,000 vehicles were involved in export-import activities, but this number has now dwindled to around 500, indicating a substantial decline in trade volume.
The imposition of the TED policy has been described as flawed and detrimental, leading to significant disruptions in commercial activities. On August 12, customs clearing agents and transport unions organized a wheel-jam strike at the border, protesting against the implementation of the TED policy. They reported that of the more than 6,000 trucks operating between Pakistan and Afghanistan, only 5 percent have received the necessary TED documents. The process of obtaining these documents is described as lengthy and inefficient, with many vehicles waiting for their paperwork.
The strike was postponed to allow for negotiations with district administration and customs officials. An extension was granted until August 16, during which discussions were held with Assistant Commissioner Landi Kotal Adnan Mumtaz and customs officials. Despite these discussions, the issues remain unresolved. The stakeholders are demanding that customs officials and high authorities take practical steps to address the TED documentation issues. They have emphasized that failure to resolve the matter by the new deadline will lead to a full-scale wheel-jam strike on August 22. This strike, they warn, will continue until their demands are met, potentially causing further disruptions to trade and affecting the national economy.
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