PESHAWAR: In an unusual turn of events, over 50 imported trucks have been stranded at the Torkham border for the past 22 days, despite having cleared customs duty taxes. This situation has resulted in heavy financial losses for traders and transporters involved in Pakistan-Afghanistan trade.
Customs clearing agent, Amir Shanwari, informed that these trucks, part of bilateral trade with Afghanistan, have undergone the necessary documentation and duty tax clearance process. They are carrying various goods, including beans, lentils, alfalfa seeds, and cabbage.
Shanwari expressed his concern and urged the Plant Protection Department’s (PPD) high-ranking officials to upgrade the system at Torkham. He specifically requested the inclusion of relevant codes for the imported items into the system. Such an enhancement, he argued, would expedite the vehicle clearance process, alleviating the difficulties faced by traders and reducing financial losses.
Ma’az Ali from the PPD confirmed the absence of user codes for the items carried by the vehicles arriving from Afghanistan. This issue has been conveyed to authorities at the Karachi headquarters but awaiting a response to address the matter. Meanwhile, the drivers of the stranded vehicles continue to bear daily financial losses and are burdened with daily rental costs for trucks.
