Trade thru Spin Boldak-Chaman route slumps

KANDAHAR CITY (Pajhwok): Officials in southern Kandahar province say the trade and transit process through the Spin Boldak-Chaman route has slowed down by 80 percent, causing heavy losses to traders and residents.

Thousands of containers have been stranded in Spin Boldak and Chaman towns, not only jacking up demurrage charges, vehicle fares and escalation in goods prices.

Haji Jalaluddin, who imports fabrics from Chaman to Afghanistan, told Pajhwok Afghan News the route used to open at 7:00am and close at 5:00pm. But after the Taliban’s takeover, the route opens at 8:00am and closes at 4:00pm.

As a result, exports, imports and transit trade had slowed down by 80 percent, he explained, stressing the need for urgent steps to address the issue.

On the Pakistan side of the Durand Line, he said, paramilitary forces were in charge of relevant affairs. In Spin Boldak, the responsibility is being discharged by the Taliban. Previously, border police shouldered the responsibility.

Jalaluddin called on the Taliban to work jointly with the Pakistani authorities to resolve the issue.

“The Taliban are receiving taxes from us, they must also defend our interests,” he argued.

Another businessman, Haji Rahmatullah, told Pajhwok that all the people had been affected by the situation, .one way or the other

Ali Khan, another businessman, said linked the problems the postponement of meetings of the joint chambers of commerce since the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan.

In addition to taking steps to resolve the problems of traders, he suggested, meetings between the two chambers of commerce should resume.

sa/mud