The officials from Pakistan and Afghanistan unable to reach an agreement on visa restrictions for both country’s transporters, bilateral trade between the two neighboring countries via the Torkham border remained blocked for the second straight day on Sunday.
Officials at Torkham report that a meeting between border officials from both countries on Saturday evening yielded no progress. Nevertheless, they agreed to communicate the messages from each side to their respective higher authorities.
Since Saturday, no vehicles have been permitted to cross the border into Afghanistan or enter Pakistan. However, there are no restrictions on pedestrian movement, according to sources.
Visa limitations must be relaxed, according to customs clearing agents.
According to local fruit vendors, customs authorities at Torkham ‘recommended’ them to transport their merchandise back to Peshawar for safe storage because there was no imminent solution to the visa issue.
Pakistan put visa restrictions on all Afghan drivers and their assistants who did not have appropriate travel documentation and were thus prevented from entering the country on Saturday.
The Torkham border standoff continues as Afghan Taliban authorities reciprocate by denying entry to Pakistani transporters into Afghanistan. Bilateral trade at the Kharlaachi border crossing in Kurram has come to a halt, causing financial losses for local traders and transporters.
The Torkham Custom Clearing Agents Association demands relaxation in visa restrictions for Afghan transporters, citing significant financial losses for traders and the risk of perishable goods. The sudden imposition of restrictions has led to traffic congestion, with stranded trailers and containers causing hardships for transporters.
Customs officials are in constant communication with higher authorities in Islamabad to resolve the visa issue for Afghan transporters and avoid delays in customs clearance at the Torkham border.
