Pakistan allows gradual return of 2,000 stranded trucks

JALALABAD (Pajhwok): Pakistan, local officials in eastern Nangarhar province said on Sunday.

Afghan businessmen, however, demand that Pakistan also allow trucks carrying Afghan export goods into the neighboring country.

Nangarhar Customs Department Director Nasrullah Sahibzada said Pakistan accepted to allow some stranded truck back into Pakistan after transferring goods from the Pakistani side.

He said at least 2,000 empty trucks remained stranded on the Afghan side of Torkham. Among them, 900 trucks brought in goods from Pakistan side. He said the empty trucks will leave for Pakistan at 7:00pm tonight through a proper mechanism.

He said Pakistani side had failed to honor their pledge of keeping the Torkham gate open 24/7 for the return of Afghan commercial goods.

Afghan businessmen have been complaining that Pakistan kept the gate open for the transfer of their goods while stopped Afghan goods to cross the gate.

Dr. Mukhles, a member of the Nangarhar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the government should put pressure on Pakistan to allow the Afghan goods to cross the Durand line.

He said hundreds of Afghan trucks carrying coal, talc and other goods remained stranded at Torkham and were not allowed entry into Pakistan.

Sahibzada also acknowledged that most of trucks carrying Afghan goods remained stranded, adding that now it was harvest season of vegetable and fresh fruits, so good from the Afghan side should also be allowed.

Nh/ma