The transporter community of Pakistan and Afghanistan observed a wheel-jam strike on both sides of the Torkham border on Tuesday against what they said illicit taxes, charged by the authorities of both countries on the border. The strike resulted in a complete halt to the transportation of goods between the two countries as hundreds of long vehicles, loaded with various goods remained stationary for the day. The representatives of transporters were on the view that Afghan border security officials collected five thousand Afghanis as a land tax in addition to money grabbing from them at scores of checkpoints in Afghanistan. Similarly, they added, the Pak officials only from Karkhano markets to Torkham border snatched Rs 17000 from each truck which was an injustice to them. All Pakistan Transport, Union President Shakir Afridi, said that both the neighbouring countries had billions of rupees trade that had provided jobs to thousands of peoples on the both sides of the border, but ironically, the transporters who transported the merchandise commodities had been fleecing with their both hands by the Pak and Afghan officials from Karachi to Kabul. He stressed upon the Pak-Afghan authorities to initiate positive steps in that regards to further boost business ties between the two countries.
There is hardly any economic opportunity in the war-torn region of Pak-Afghan border and Afghanistan in general. In such circumstances, such illicit practices, if proved true, should be curtailed at the earliest. Proper mechanisms need to be implemented on the border crossings to implement the state approved policies related to tariffs.
In recent times, the agitation on the border between Afghan and Pakistani forces has resulted in the closure of Torkham border. Amid such agitations, it’s the transportation sector — mainly daily wagers — who feel the brunt of the severity of ties. Adding to that, this treatment by the border officials as well as the security teams is further adds to their problems. The transportation sector employs a significant number of Afghan refugees and people from the bordering areas with Afghanistan.
The relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have been deteriorating over the past few years. The situation has especially worsened amid the worsening security situation in Afghanistan and the blame game by the leaders of the both countries. Amid all this, the Afghan people, especially those living in the refugee camps in Pakistan have faced the brunt of the policies of the governments of the two countries. Terrorism still continues to be a potent threat in the region, which further increases the importance of the regulation of the border. Sincere efforts are required on the part of both the governments to rehabilitate the displaced persons. Continued ignorance will only increase the feeling of deprivation among the people who have been living in camps for decades.
There is a lot of animosity among the Afghan people towards Pakistan due to latter’s involvement in Afghanistan over the past few decades. If Pakistan is able to address the apprehensions of the Afghans, the country can serve as a huge potential market for it. http://dailytimes.com.pk/editorial/15-Dec-16/strike-at-torkham
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