KARACHI: The Chaman border crossing, a vital trade route between Pakistan and Afghanistan, has been shuttered for a week, stranding thousands of trucks and vehicles in a precarious limbo, a business leader said on Monday.
"The Chaman border has been closed once again for the past week, and thousands of trucks and other vehicles have been stuck under vulnerable, uncertain, and hostile circumstances," Atif Ikram Sheikh, president of FPCCI, said in a statement.
"It is complete chaos once again on the important and indispensable trade route between Pakistan and Afghanistan."Sheikh demanded that the Chaman border should be opened immediately to alleviate the sufferings and financial losses of the traders – and to allow essential supplies like food and medicines to get through the border. "It is a humanitarian and socioeconomic crisis as well," he added.
He said that the Chaman border is nestled in the heart of the region's complex geopolitical landscape; and has long been a significant point of interaction between Pakistan and Afghanistan, particularly as a hub for cross-border trade between the two neighboring countries.
The FPCCI chief maintained that such blockages over and over again over the past five years have eroded the government’s authority, resulting in a precarious law and order situation in the border area. Ironically, law and order in that area is of the utmost necessity, being a difficult terrain, trade route, and border crossing.
Sheikh added that this has become a routine occurrence; whereas small mobs, smugglers, and outlaws frequently close the border area – disrespecting the law of the land and inflicting immense losses on the law-abiding traders of both sides.
"This situation highlights the challenges faced by the government in maintaining control and the writ of the government to ensure the smooth flow of goods and services in the region," he said. "The frequent closures of the Chaman border have significant financial, economic, and humanitarian implications, particularly for the people of Balochistan."