Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Customs clearing agents at the Torkham border have suspended the clearance of trade goods on Wednesday, protesting a new policy implemented by authorities. The agents object to a requirement demanding complete details of vehicles transporting imports from Afghanistan before they reach the border, without any prior weighing or electronic scanning.
The agents argue that complying with this rule could make them liable for any contraband found during subsequent scans. Recently, customs officials discovered ammunition in an import vehicle during such checks, as reported by sources. The clearing agents prefer the previous procedure, where vehicles were weighed and scanned first, followed by providing a joint goods declaration (GD) copy for each inspected vehicle.
The Torkham border, a critical trade route between Pakistan and Afghanistan, links Pakistan’s Peshawar to Afghanistan’s Jalalabad and further to Kabul. It plays a vital role in regional trade and travel. However, security concerns and bureaucratic delays have frequently disrupted operations. The border has been a focal point of tension, often facing closures and congestion, impacting trade between the two countries.
In September, residents of Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province protested against Pakistan’s border closures during peak fruit and vegetable seasons, highlighting the ongoing regional tensions. Despite investments in infrastructure at Torkham, challenges such as security issues and inefficient customs procedures continue to impede smooth trade operations between the neighboring countries.
