5 Afghan trade trucks cross over to India via Wagah

LAHORE: Amid ongoing tensions between Pakistan and India, five trucks carrying Afghan trade goods departed for India via the Wagah border crossing, sources confirmed on Friday.

The trucks, reportedly stranded at Wagah port under the supervision of the National Logistics Cell (NLC) for several weeks, were finally granted clearance to proceed to India.

According to sources, the trucks, loaded with Afghan dry fruits, were driven by Pakistani drivers who were issued 24-hour entry permits by the Indian government for the border crossing. Last month, following the closure of the Pakistan-India border, the Afghan government had requested Pakistan to allow transit for 150 trucks carrying dry fruits into India through the Wagah border crossing. In response to the Afghan request, Pakistan conditionally approved the movement of these trucks on May 1. However, the process was delayed due to the Indian government’s delay in issuing entry permits for Pakistani drivers, coupled with renewed border tensions and skirmishes between the two neighbours. More Afghan trade trucks are expected to cross into India in the coming days. Pakistan-India bilateral trade has been suspended since February 2019, after India imposed heavy tariffs on Pakistani products following the Pulwama incident. Later that year, India revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir by abrogating Article 370, prompting Pakistan to downgrade trade relations. However, transit trade between Afghanistan and India via the Wagah-Attari border continued. Indian media reported that these trucks had entered India via Wahgah border crossing while no Pakistani official was ready to comment on the development.