Pak-Afghan highway closure inflicts losses on traders

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Peshawar-Torkham highway has been shut for a week for cargo trucks, inflicting massive financial losses on Afghan traders, the Afghan embassy in Islamabad says.

The embassy wrote on its X page: “After the closure and opening of Torkham crossing for several times during the fruit and vegetable season, the Peshawar-Torkham highway has been blocked by a number of people in Bagiari area of Khyber for a week. Only a limited number of vehicles are allowed to travel.”

Protesting tribesmen had so far stopped nearly 2,000 trucks, which inflicted millions of dollars in losses on Afghan traders, the embassy said.

The statement added: “Though trade and transit activities are suspended on the Pakistani side, yet the vegetable and fruit harvest season has arrived in Afghanistan.

“The embassy has shared the issue several times with Pakistani authorities who promised addressing the issue. Regrettably, however, no breakthrough has happened yet in this regard.”

The embassy once again called on Pakistani authorities to consider and address the problems of businessmen from both countries and other people.

The Afghan side expressed its complete readiness for all possible cooperation on resolving the longstanding issue.

aw/mud