Trucks with fruits to Pakistan remain stranded for days: Traders

KHOST CITY (Pajhwok): Pakistan allows a limited number of vehicles loaded with fresh fruits and vegetables to enter the country from Ghulam Khan port in southeastern Khost province, traders complain.

They say their vehicles remain stranded for days awaiting permission from Pakistani authorities to enter the neighboring country.

One of them, Faiz Mohammad, told Pajhwok Afghan News these vehicles were not allowed to timely transfer goods since the two sides clashed at the port.

He said Afghan traders endured millions of afghanis losses on a daily basis, urging the governments of both countries to allow such vehicles an easy movement.

“I arrived at the port last night and about 400 vehicles are ahead of me. I will spend three days at the port and another three or four days waiting in the queue and until then the grapes in my vehicle will decay.”

Another Afghan businessman Syed Ahmad said Pakistan under various pretexts used to close the crossing whenever the harvest season of Afghan fruits and vegetables came.

He asked the Afghan government to put pressure on the Pakistani side to open its ports to Afghan products.

He said trade between the two countries should not be a victim of politics. He said Afghan traders should be allowed to reach their destinations on time.

A driver, Zahidullah, also told Pajhwok that road closures caused them millions of afghanis losses on a daily basis because most of the fresh fruits and vegetables spoil.

He said Pakistan should allow 100 vehicles with vegetables and fruits and 50 with other things.

“It’s my 17th day here, I have run out of money."

On the other hand, local government officials assure the continuation of normal trade at Ghulam Khan Port.

Khost Information and Culture Director Shabir Ahmad Osmani told Pajhwok roads to many ports had been closed and only the Ghulam Khan port route was open.

“So the pressure of all Afghanistan is on this place. The road is open and God willing, the existing problem will be solved soon.”

He added talks were underway between the two governments on creating more facilities for traders.

It should be noted that Ghulam Khan is the closest compared to Karachi port and traders find this route easy and cheap.

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