Pakistan again closes Torkham crossing against transit

JALALABAD (Pajhwok): Local officials in eastern Nangarhar province say the Pakistani side has once again closed the Torkham crossing against transit trade, not allowing Afghan drivers to enter the country without visa.

Maulvi Sediqullah Qureshi, Nangarhar Information and Culture department spokesman, told Pajhwok Afghan News Pakistan had closed the Torkham gate against transit, asking drivers to obtain visa.

He said officials of the Afghan commissary in Torkham had also taken the same action and they did not allow Pakistani drivers who had no visas and passports to enter Afghanistan.

According to Qureshi, earlier truck drivers were not asked for passport or visa to travel on the route, but today the Pakistani side once again closed the road against transit under this pretext.

On the other hand, the Chamber of Commerce in Nangarhar says the closure of Torkham gate would not only harm Afghans, but also Pakistani businessmen.

Shokrullah Safi, exports section head at the chamber of commerce, told Pajhwok that 600 to 700 trucks carrying commercial goods daily crossed the Torkham gate and its closure would cause serious problems to traders.

He said: “Currently, our fresh fruits such as grapes, pomegranates and onions, coal, talc and others are exported via Torkham before being transferred to Asian and European countries, but if the gate remains closed, the fruits will perish.”

Three months ago, Pakistan closed the Torkham gate against all kinds of traffic.

sa/ma