Afghanistan Times
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By Shamim Shahid-PESHAWAR: President of Afghanistan Transporters Association, Mr. Mohammad Noor Ahmadzai has called upon Pakistani authorities to order re-opening of all crossing points with Afghanistan, enabling the drivers and transporters to deliver the stranded goods.
“Hundreds of stranded goods trucks are loaded with fresh fruits, vegetable, poultry and other edible items, which are near to waste,” Noor Ahmadzai remarked during a press conference here at Peshawar on Monday. Flanked by a large number of Afghan traders, transporters and drivers included Peshawar based Afghan Trade Commissioner Mr. Meerwais Yousafzai, Mr. Ahmadzai said that wastage and destruction of loaded goods could inflict billion of rupees losses to transporters and owners.
In response to a question, Mr. Ahmadzai they do favour cordial and friendly relations between the two neighbouring countries as it is beneficial to bilateral trade. In this respect, their joint bodies from both the countries always were making appeals to rulers and leaders. He added that Pakistan and Afghanistan are neighbours and its leaders needs to keep in mind each other’s interests.
Answering to a question, Mr. Noor Ahmadzai said that thousands of vehicles loaded with edible, non edible and commercial goods on both sides of Pak Afghan crossings. Losses of these goods could cause losses to owners and transporters from both the countries. He added that Afghanistan is a landlocked country and in according to International Laws it is depending in Pakistan routes. On such ground’s he said that sealing of border and denial proceeding of loaded goods to its destination is violation of World Trade Treaties.
In response to a question, Noor Ahgmadzai and Meerwais Yousafzai said that common Afghans who are residing as refugees or visiting Pakistan through valid visa and other travelling documents having nothing to do with terror. Almost of them are peace loving and always praying for strengthening of friendly relations between the two neighbouring countries. But unfortunately, in reaction of every violent act, Afghans are not only blamed but even subjected to arrests, detentions and even torture, he emphasized.
They called upon Prime Minister Mohanmmad Nawaz Sharif, Chief of Army Staff, Corps Commander Peshawar and other higher authorities to order re-opening of Pak Afghan crossing at Torkham and all other crossing points with Afghanistan. They called for allowing transportation of stranded trucks to its destinations in both the countries. Similarly they also called upon Inspector General of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police Mr. Nasar Khan Durrani to direct the policemen to stop cheating and terrorizing of Afghan nationals.
Meanwhile, Pak Afghan crossing at Torkham remain closed for 11th consecutive day on Monday and hundreds of stranded tribesmen are living under the open sky in Landi Kotal bazar. However, the political administration from Monday stopped proceeding of the Afghan nationals at Takhta Beg Check Post, situated in outskirts of Peshawar on Pak Afghan Highway.
