GHALANAI: The tribal elders have demanded of the authorities to reopen trade route to Afghanistan via Mohmand Agency that has been closed for the last five years.

An official said that elders of Nazarkhel and Dawarkhel tribes including Haji Said Rehman, Haji Mohammad Zamin, Maulvi Hidayatullah, Bacha Sahib, Said Murad, Malik Zamin Gul, Maulvi Khaista Gul, Said Karim, Mehraban Bacha, Siraj Khan, Abdul Qahar, Matiullah, Zariullah Jan and Matawol Khan also held a jirga at Gursal Gate on Pak-Afghan border with the Afghan officials about reopening of the trade route.

The elders also presented a memorandum to the officials of political administration about reopening of the trade route.

They said that closure of the trade route caused acute shortages of food items and life saving medicines in the border areas.

The tribal elders said that they were faced with numerous problems owing to closure of the trade route between Pakistan and Afghanistan via Mohmand Agency.

Talking to Dawn, the tribal traders said that the closure of the route had affected business activities in Mian Mandi, Lakaro, Mamad Gat, Ghazi Baig, Atta, Chanda, Ghalanai and Ekkaghund markets.

Fayaz Khan, a trader at Mian Mandi Bazaar, who brought goods from Afghanistan, said that closure of the trade route between the two countries rendered hundreds of drivers, helpers and labourers jobless besides creating shortages of food items in the border areas.

Ali Gohar, a tyre dealer, said that traders were leaving the area. “About 1,000 tribesmen used to work in Mian Mandi Market but now they have been rendered jobless,” he said.

Javed Khan, a driver, said that he was jobless because there was no trip to Afghanistan since long.

Haji Menadar, a shopkeeper in Ghalanai, said that before the closure of route, oil, soap, perfume, tea, electronic gadgets, generators, shampoo and other items would be brought from across the border at a low price.

“Now price of these goods have soared as these are brought from Peshawar,” he added.

The tribal elders demanded of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governor and military and political authorities to reopen the trade route.