Traders worry over closure of border, fear losses worth billions

Pakistan and Afghanistan bilateral trade and movement of the people remained suspended on the sixth consecutive day at the Chaman and Torkham border crossings on Saturday.

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Pakistani authorities were allowing trucks of Afghan refugees to cross the Pak-Afghan border crossings. A large number of freight vehicles are stuck on the Afghan side which are loaded with dry fruit at Friendship Gate. More than 300 vehicles are present in Afghan territory. Over 130 trucks loaded with grapes and pomegranates are also parked on the Afghan side.

Traders have expressed concern that their fruits are getting rotten and they were facing loss of crores of rupees. The traders have demanded that the Friendship Gate should be temporarily opened for trade so that all the stranded commercial vehicles can be removed from both sides of the border.

Due to tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, bilateral trade had been suspended at all borders since Oct.12, which has halted transit trade, including imports and exports worth billions of rupees, and left thousands of freight vehicles stranded on both sides.

Rice, cement, medicines, medical equipment, and various items including cloth, fresh fruits, are imported from Pakistan, while coal, fresh fruits, soapstone, vegetables, dried fruits, and other goods are imported from Afghanistan.