Ashrafuddin Pirzada
LANDIKOTAL: Traders and Torkham customs agents on Friday alleged that all departments at Torkham conduct their operations, but Frontier Corps(FC)personnel intentionally use delay tactics that cause traffic jams at the Torkham border, due to which traders and truckers were facing financial losses.
Speaking to a crowded press conference, Torkham Custom Agents Association chairman Mirajuddin Shinwari, president Emal Shinwari, Amir Khan, Shahjehan and transporters association president Azeemullah Shinwari said that the goods documentation process was timely. They said that, as per routine, trucks had to cross the Torkham border within 24 hours, but due to unnecessary delay by FC personnel, trucks had to wait for days, which suffered traders and truckers.
They said that all these unfortunate delays dealt a financial blow to import and export taking place via the Torkham border. They said long queues of loaded and empty trucks remained on both sides of the Torkham border for several days.
“Hundreds of trucks were stranded on the roadsides and parking lots at the Torkham border for several days by FC personnel who illegally conduct goods trucks,” said Mirajuddin Shinwari. He added that due to the slow process and delays at the Torkham border, millions of rupees are lost to the national exchequer daily.
Traders and customs agents said that the government should facilitate truckers rather than create hurdles for them. Emal Shinwari said hurdles were created for truckers and traders at the Torkham border.
He said if FC personnel were not stopped from making trouble for truckers, they would be compelled to boycott goods clearance and would stop all trade operations at the Torkham border.
Emal Khan said as per law customs authorities were responsible for import and export. He said border security forces should not violate and must remain in their domains. He said FC personnel were checking and searching trucks and passengers’ luggage, compelling trucks to wait for days at Torkham.
The traders demanded that the Inspector General Frontier Corps (IGFC) direct Frontier Corps officials not to put hurdles and allow loaded trucks to cross the border within 24 hours, and stay at Torkham.
The speakers threatened to give the call for a wheel jam strike if their demands were not entertained.
