WANA: The authorities reopened trade route with Afghanistan at Angoor Adda in South Waziristan Agency on Sunday after successful talks between the political administration and tribal elders here.

About 200 vehicles loaded with miscellaneous export items rolled into Afghanistan via the border crossing point after its reopening.

The route was closed about a week ago, triggering protest by the locals. Officials said that elders and local traders held a meeting with political agent and Commandant of the Frontier Corps at Wana, the administrative headquarters of the South Waziristan.

Sources said local traders had reservations over the establishment of customs clearance office at Angoor Adda and asked Federal Board of Revenue to open the facility in Wana. FBR had declared Angoor Adda a notified trade route with Afghanistan. However, the customs clearance office was opened in Tank, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Officials said the customs clearance office would temporarily function at Angoor Adda, adding another jirga would be convened 10 days after Eidul Fitr to identify appropriate site for setting up the customs clearance office in consultation with the local traders and elders.

Published in Dawn, May 21st, 2018