PESHAWAR: President of Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Muhammad Ishaq, expressed serious concern over the suspension of the scanning process of Afghan transit trade and export cargo vehicles at the Torkham border.
The SCCI chief demanded the relevant authorities and senior officials to take notice and issue directives for restoration of the scanning process so that traders and Pak-Afghan transit trade and exports can be saved from loss.
In a press statement on Thursday, Sarhad Chamber President Muhammad Ishaq said that around 2,500 Pak-Afghan Transit and Pakistan Export trucks, including perishable goods have stuck up at the Torkham borders due to the suspension of the scanning process, which has adversely affected the trade and export process.
Ishaq said that according to reliable sources, the scanning process of Pak-Afghan Transit Trade and export cargo vehicles was stopped due to the ongoing construction work on a terminal.
The chamber president urged besides construction of the terminal, initiatives should be taken to ensure smooth Pak-Afghan transit and export because the further decline in bilateral trade and exports is not in the best interest of Pakistan’s economy and business community.
Ishaq demanded that the scanning process be restored before Eid so that the business community can be saved from financial losses due to halting and demurrage charges.
The SCCI chief appealed to the Inspector General FC Frontier Constabulary and other concerned authorities to take immediate notice of the stopping of thousands of cargo vehicles and issued orders to start the scanning process as soon as possible so that mutual trade and exports can be increased that would put the country’s economy on the path of stability and development.
