Document rule’s enforcement: Hundreds of trucks stranded at Torkham border

LANDIKOTAL: Hundreds of loaded and empty trucks have been stranded on both sides of the Torkham border as Pakistani authorities have enforced the Temporary Admission Document (TAD) condition for truck drivers from August 1, sources said on Friday.

Border authorities said as per the government directives, Pakistani and Afghan drivers who frequently travel across the border must have TAD to cross the Torkham border.Torkham Customs officials implemented the condition from August 1.

They said no truck drivers and their helpers would be allowed to travel from and to Pakistan without the TAD.They asked the cargo drivers to apply for TAD, adding those who obtained these documents in time would not face any travel restrictions.

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and Peshawar Customs House also issued notifications on this requirement.Earlier this year, on March 29, Pakistan had waived passport and visa requirements conditions for Afghan drivers and agreed with the Taliban government to make TAD documents mandatory in the coming months.

The Customs clearing agents and traders appealed to the Pakistani authorities to allow the loaded trucks stranded on both sides of the Torkham border to transport goods in time and issue them the TAD gradually.

Qari Nazeem Gul Shinwari, a trader, said it would be better to issue TAD to each driver on the spot when they reach the Torkham border. He said TAD conditions must be kept easy for drivers to fulfill.Meanwhile, several loaded and empty trucks proceeded toward their destinations after authorities issued them tempo