Pak-Afghan Chamber concerned over border closure

PESHAWAR: Pak-Afghan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry has urged the governments of Pakistan and Afghanistan to address the challenges faced by traders and the public due to the ongoing closure of the Pak-Afghan border at Torkham.

In a press statement issued on Monday, Senior Vice President of the chamber Zia-ul-Haq Sarhadi, who is also an executive committee member of the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, highlighted the severe impact of the border closure, which has persisted for the last three consecutive days.

He stated that the shutdown had not only halted trade between the two neighbouring countries but has also left thousands of people in distress on both sides of the border.Zia Sarhadi pointed out that approximately 2,500 goods-laden trucks were stranded on the Pakistani side, waiting for clearance, with a similar number of vehicles stuck across the border.

He said many of these trucks carry perishable goods, including meat, poultry, vegetables, fruits, and juices, which risk spoilage if not transported promptly.Zia Sarhadi noted that hundreds of people, including patients, women, children, and elderly passengers, were stranded at the border, anxiously waiting for it to reopen.

Many have been forced to wait at immigration centres for the past three days without any clear updates on the situation.Zia Sarhadi emphasized that sudden and prolonged closures of the Torkham border severely disrupt bilateral trade, causing significant economic losses for businesses on both sides. He urged authorities in Pakistan and Afghanistan to resolve the issue immediately and ensure the uninterrupted movement of trade and passengers for the benefit of both nations.