LANDI KOTAL: The National Logistic Cell authorities on Sunday stopped nearly 200 vehicles loaded with export goods at its terminal in Jamrud without furnishing any tangible reason to local exporters and transporters.

Clearing agents and exporters at Torkham border said that NLC’s stopping of their vehicles was uncalled for as it was not authorised to take such an illegal action. They said neither the NLC nor the customs officials had given them any prior intimation about the abrupt suspension of exports to Afghanistan.

The vehicles stopped at the Jamrud terminal are mostly loaded with cement and wheat flour, sources said and added that clearance of other items mostly edibles had been done at Torkham for onward journey to Afghanistan.

Clearing agents and local traders have long been agitating against the NLC staff for overstepping their authority both at Torkham and Jamrud while insisting that the cell should limit itself to its original task of building a modern customs terminal at Torkham.

Custom officials at the border had earlier notified that exports to Afghanistan would be cleared through the Web Based One Custom system from March 13.

Meanwhile, Khasadar force recovered 20 sniper rifles from a truck while entering Torkham from Afghanistan on Sunday, and arrested its driver.

Published in Dawn, March 12th, 2018