LANDI KOTAL: The Frontier Corps at Takhtabag checkpost in Jamrud on Friday allowed the Afghan transit trade vehicle to leave for Torkham border.

Sources said that hundreds of loaded vehicles were stopped at the checkpost on the main Peshawar-Torkham Highway due to slow custom clearance at Torkham border after Pakistan allowed trade with Afghanistan in early May.

Initially, Pakistan allowed clearance of only 100 vehicles on daily basis. Later, the number was increased to 150 while the border was again reopened for round-the-clock clearance of all commercial vehicles.

The transporters had been accusing the personnel of law enforcing agencies posted at the said post of demanding bribes from them for out of turn permission to proceed to Torkham border.

They had argued that perishable items, especially fruit and vegetable, were at high risk of rotting due to prolonged delay at the checkpost. They had also expressed their displeasure over their unnecessary stay near Takhtabag checkpost which they said was both a security risk and financial burden on them.

Official sources in Landi Kotal and Jamrud said that all the loaded vehicles were allowed to proceed to the National Logistics Cell terminal at Torkham border after receipt of complaints from transporters.

They said that no one would be allowed to intercept or detain any loaded vehicle destined for Afghanistan via Torkham border on the main highway.

Meanwhile, capital city police officer Mohammad Ali Gandapur visited Landi Kotal and Torkham and met the local police officials and representatives of transporters union.

The transporters apprised him about the difficulties they faced at the hands of Khyber police and undue delay in their onward journey towards the border crossing.

The CCPO ordered the local police to remove all unnecessary hurdles in the way of transporters. He also visited the NLC terminal and assessed the clearance of loaded vehicles going across the border.

Published in Dawn, June 6th, 2020