PESHAWAR: Expressing concern over the prolonged closure of Pak-Afghan border at Torkham, Pakistani coal importers have demanded of the government to allow entry of stranded vehicles loaded with coal into Pakistan otherwise they will suffer huge financial losses.

Speaking at a press conference at Peshawar Press Club on Friday, Coal Traders Association’s general secretary Iqbal Yousaf Khattak said that over 500 trucks loaded with about 20,000 tons of coal were waiting for permission to cross into Pakistan.

Flanked by other businessmen, including Sohail Ahmad, Malik Zafar and Bagh Jalal, Mr Khattak said that they would face a loss of over Rs400 million if the border was not reopened immediately.

He said that they had paid Rs3, 500 per day as charges per vehicle, adding that the transporters were also demanding additional fares though the situation was quite uncertain.

He said that the coal traders had paid a big amount of money as export duty to the Afghan authorities on the loaded coal.

He said that the traders would pay additional freight charges of Rs300 million if their vehicles were not allowed to move ahead.

Mr Khattak said that the government of Pakistan had collected about Rs1 billion under the head of sales tax and income tax from the coal traders this year.

He said that around 400,000 tons of coal was imported from Afghanistan every year. Similarly, Sohail Ahmad said that the cement industry and others had given them orders and if the demand of clients was not fulfilled timely in Pakistan it would result in further losses for them.

He praised the government of Pakistan and security forces for taking stern security and border management measures.

However, he said that they would be unable to afford further financial losses and urged the government to allow entry of stranded coal vehicles via Torkham border.

He also warned of holding a protest if their demand was not fulfilled immediately.

Published in Dawn, March 18th, 2017