Traders set up protest camp at Torkham

PESHAWAR (Pajhwok): A protest camp has been set up at the Torkham crossing against harsh travel conditions for truckers, including the enforcement of the temporary admission document (TAD) system.

The sudden and strict implementation of the travel restrictions are adversely affecting trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan, prompting howls of protest from transporters and businesspeople.

Headed by All Torkham Customs Association President Aimal Khan Shinwari, the protesters pitched a tent near the zero point on Saturday. Traders, transporters, truckers and other businessmen also joined the protest.

The participants called for easing and accelerating the issuance of TADs for cargo vehicles. They alleged the issuance of the documents took months, inflicting losses on drivers.

Inordinate delays in issuing the documents had affected bilateral trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan, Shinwari told journalists.

As a result of the delays, he claimed, thousands of cargo vehicles had been stranded on both sides of the Torkham crossing for the past month.

They would be left with no option but to give a call for a wheel-jam strike if travel conditions were not relaxed immediately, the protesters warned.

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