Despite having been issued gate passes, the trucks are being turned back at the Zero Point, leaving the drivers stranded without financial support
By Mehrab Shah Afridi
TORKHAM BORDER: The Torkham border crossing has become a scene of frustration and financial strain as between 40 to 70 tons of goods-laden trucks have been stranded for several days. The drivers, who initially entered Pakistan with visas, are now being required to provide Temporary Admission Documents (TAD) upon their return to Afghanistan, leading to significant daily losses and an unaddressed crisis.
At the Pakistan-Afghanistan Torkham border, the All Torkham Customs Clearing Agents, traders, and transporters unions have announced a complete strike on Monday to protest against the Temporary Admission Documents (TAD) policy. The unions have urged transporters not to load goods on that day, and a sit-in is planned on the Torkham-Pak-Afghan highway, which will result in the total suspension of supply routes. The implementation of the TAD policy has already brought trade to a standstill, with the daily number of goods-laden trucks crossing the border dropping from approximately 2,000 to barely 200.
Exhausted and disheartened, drivers such as Adil Shah from Nangarhar, Noor Saeel from Bara, Senna Gul from Afghanistan, and Shazman, among others, have voiced their growing concerns. They highlighted that some of the goods they are transporting are perishable or prone to losing weight if not delivered promptly, potentially resulting in losses amounting to millions of rupees. Additionally, the prolonged waiting period has caused damage to the truck tires, compounding their financial woes.
Despite having been issued gate passes, the trucks are being turned back at the Zero Point, leaving the drivers stranded without financial support. The drivers are enduring extreme heat and dust at the Torkham border, struggling to make ends meet amidst mounting debts and vehicle installments. Some have even fitted new tires on credit, further escalating their financial burden.
The drivers have appealed to both Afghan and Pakistani authorities to show compassion and allow their trucks to cross the border on their existing visas. They argue that the required TAD documents have already been submitted, and they are in desperate need of a resolution to avoid further financial damage. The ongoing border issue underscores the urgent need for a streamlined process and effective communication between the authorities of both nations to address the plight of these drivers and facilitate the smooth flow of goods across the border.
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