Customs sends 40 trucks of fresh fruit back to Afghanistan

LANDIKOTAL: The Customs authorities at Torkham border returned 40 trucks loaded with fresh fruit to Afghanistan as the importers and transporters failed to provide them the required documents to transport the commodity on Friday, sources said.

All Torkham Customs Clearing Agents vice-president Haji Wahid Khan Shinwari said that 40 truckloads of fresh fruit had crossed the border from Afghanistan via Torkham a week ago.

He said each truck had paid Rs5,000 as “Rahdari” tax while entering Pakistan. He added that after waiting for a week at Torkham border, the Pakistan Customs did not allow them to transport the fruit to Peshawar and Islamabad markets.

“Not only the clearing agents suffered losses, but the fruit owners and transporters also received a big blow,” he added.

He said that each of the trucks had to pay Rs1 million tax to the Customs authorities if issued permits. He said the national exchequer suffered a loss of Rs40 million by sending 40 trucks back to Afghanistan.

Wahid Khan Shinwari said most of the fresh fruit, especially apples, got rotten as the trucks were stranded for one week at the border.

He said the prices of fruit had gone high due to non-availability of Afghan fresh fruit in Pakistani markets.

Wahid said that the customs clearing agents and transporters would meet soon to discuss the issue.