By Ashrafuddin Pirzada
LANDIKOTAL: Torkham customs agents, transporters and labourers on Sunday warned of indefinite protests against the recent National Logistic Cell’s policies, which they claim would cause mass unemployment, urging authorities to reverse decisions before unrest escalates.
They appealed to the authorities to rectify NLC’s policies, warning that they would be compelled to launch an indefinite protest if their demands were ignored.
Speaking at a crowded press conference at the district Khyber press club, Landikotal Torkham customs clearing agents association chairman Merajuddin Shinwari, president Mujeeb Shinwari, transport union president Azeemullah Shinwari and elders of the Khugakhel tribe strongly criticized NLC’s actions.
They accused NLC officials of “constantly encroaching on the rights of the local people and depriving the poor of their livelihoods,” whether in matters related to TIR vehicles, labour tenders or now the attempt to eliminate the work of customs agents and daily wage workers.
“They have even opened users for this purpose, a policy that exists at no other border,” the speakers said, adding that such measures would destroy Torkham’s local economy.
The speakers stressed that NLC, as a terminal operator, is supposed to provide facilities for projects not snatching away the means of livelihood from the residents. They stated that customs agents, transport unions, labour unions and tribal elders were united against the policy and rejected the decisions made “by a handful of individuals.”
They appealed to the Inspector General of Frontier Crops and the commandant of Khyber Rifles to take immediate notice of what they called “oppressive decisions,” and to make choices in the interest of the public rather than granting business opportunities to a select few at the expense of thousands of workers in Torkham.
