PESHAWAR (Pajhwok): More than 7,000 trucks laden with different perishable items have stranded at the Torkham crossing for nearly a week, says a business leader.
The vehicles are loaded with fresh fruits, vegetables, juices, poultry products, eggs and other commodities, said the Pak-Afghan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PAJCCI) chief.
Zia-ul-Haq Sarhadi told reporters in Peshawar on Friday the closure of the Torkham route for the last six days had inflicted huge losses on exporters and businessmen.
The situation was forcing businesspeople to pay high demurrage charges on a daily basis besides affecting the quality of perishable items, he complained.
Each container of sugar had to pay Rs45,000 daily, with a container of transit goods charged $160 daily, the PACCI director explained.
Sarhadi revealed the quota of sugar exports to Afghanistan would expire in a month and the business community might suffer big losses.
Sarhadi noted the closure of the key crossing was creating serious problems for ailing Afghans, who wanted to come to Pakistan for medical treatment.
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