Transporters, custom agents stage protest at visa condition

LANDIKOTAL: Transporters, custom clearance agents and truck drivers on Thursday staged a protest in Landikotal bazaar to demand withdrawal of the passport and visa condition set for Afghanistan-bound Pakistani drivers. A large number of transporters, union leaders, custom clearance agents and Pakistani drivers took part in the demonstration held at the main Landikotal bazaar. Holding placards and banners, they marched in the bazaar and gathered at the Bacha Khan Chowk. Speaking on the occasion, the union leaders and transporters said the authority should relax the rules for transporters hailing from the Khyber Agency. They said Pakistani authorities at the Chaman border had also exempted local drivers of the passport condition. Mirajuddin said they would give call for a countrywide wheel-jam strike if their demand was not accepted. It may be mentioned that the authorities at the Torkham border were not allowing Pakistani drivers and their helpers to cross the border without valid visa. Meanwhile, around 600 trailers trucks loaded with different foods and non food items were seen parked on the roadsides in Landikotal waiting for permission to enter Afghanistan via Torkham border.