Torkham Customs agents, transporters warn of protest

LANDIKOTAL: Torkham Customs clearing agents, transporters, and labourers on Sunday warned of launching an indefinite protest against recent policies introduced by the National Logistic Cell (NLC).

They claimed the measures would cause mass unemployment and urged the authorities to reverse the decisions before unrest escalated.Speaking at a press conference, Landikotal Torkham Customs Clearing Agents Association Chairman Merajuddin Shinwari, President Mujeeb Shinwari, Transporters Union President Azeemullah Shinwari, and elders of the Khugakhel tribe criticized the NLC’s actions.

They accused NLC officials of “constantly encroaching on the rights of the local people” and depriving the poor of their livelihoods, alleging an attempt to eliminate the work of Customs agents and daily wagers.

The speakers said the NLC, as a terminal operator, was supposed to provide facilities, not take away the means of livelihood from residents.They stressed that Customs agents, transport unions, labour unions, and tribal elders were united against the policy and rejected the decisions made “by a handful of individuals.”

They appealed to the Inspector General of Frontier Corps and the Commandant of Khyber Rifles to take immediate notice of what they called “oppressive decisions” and to make choices in the public interest rather than granting business opportunities to a select few at the expense of thousands of workers in Torkham.