LANDI KOTAL: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Customs Collector Qurban Ali Mohmand has said that implementation of the new border management policy has adversely affected bilateral trade with Afghanistan via Torkham.

Talking to a delegation of customs clearing agents and local traders during his visit to Landi Kotal on Thursday, he said that the annual volume of Pakistani exports to Afghanistan reduced from US $1.5 billion to $1.2 billion owing to restrictions imposed on Afghan traders and transporters.

“We had earlier set a target of $2.5 billion exports to Afghanistan for the year 2016-17 but tension at Torkham border over the construction of a gate at Pakistan side and imposition of strict travel restrictions on Afghans hampered trade between the two countries,” he added.

Official terms it temporary loss and hopes enhanced trade ties with neighbouring country

However, Mr Mohmand insisted that it was a temporary loss and authorities concerned were striving to jack up the annual trade volume with Central Asian States and Afghanistan up to $5 billion.

“We are in contact with Federal Board of Revenue, Asian Development Bank and National Logistic Cell for construction of a modern customs terminal at Torkham to help in enhancing trade ties with our neighbouring country,” he said.

Mr Mohmand said that the new terminal would be equipped with modern facilities. He hoped that a project for setting up a modern custom dry port would be approved in the next week that would not only increase bilateral trade but would also provide job opportunities to the local tribesmen.

In reply to the demands of the local clearing agents, Mr Mohmand promised to take up the matter of abolishing unnecessary Khasadar and Levies checkposts at Peshawar-Torkham Highway with Khyber Agency political administration.

He also assured the clearing agents that bank timings would be extended and more licences for creation of customs clearing agencies would be issued to local traders.

Meanwhile, the political administration has restricted all the ‘proxy’ khasadars from performing duty at the Torkham border.

A statement issued from the office of Landi Kotal assistant political agent said that all regular khasadars were directed to immediately report to their respective duties at Torkham border.

The statement said that the step was taken in accordance with the new border management policy. No proxy or substitute khasadar would be allowed to perform duty near the border crossing, it added.

VISIT: A team of officials from Fata Secretariat visited Bara on Thursday and inspected the recently reconstructed buildings of government schools, which were destroyed in militancy related incidents during the past six years.

The school buildings were reconstructed with the financial assistance of Governor Special Development Programme(GSDP). The visiting officials also checked staff attendance registers and urged teachers to perform their duty regularly.

Published in Dawn, February 3rd, 2017