Pakistan resumes sugar exports to Afghanistan

PESHAWAR (Pajhwok): Following a four-year suspension, Pakistan has quietly resumed sugar export to Afghanistan via the Torkham crossing.

With sugar prices still high in domestic markets, 400 vehicles laden with the commodity have crossed into the neighbouring country over the last four days.

Citing well-placed sources, Dawn reported on Wednesday Pakistan recently allowed the export of 150,000 tons of sugar to Afghanistan by mid-August.

Customs-clearing agents at Torkham told the newspaper about 100 vehicles, each laden with 33 tonnes of sugar, crossed into Afghanistan four days ago and more followed later on.

In an effort to overcome shortages and rein in prices in the country, the Pakistan government had imposed a ban on sugar exports four years ago.

A number of check-posts have been set up on the Peshawar-Torkham Highway to check sugar smuggling. A large quantity of sugar has been seized from warehouses in Torkham and Landikotal.

But despite the arrest of alleged hoarders and sealing of warehouses, the scourge of sugar smuggling continued in one way or another.

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