Torkham Crossing Blocked for 4th Day, Drivers Call for Its Reopening

Afghanistan: Following the blockage of Torkham crossing for four consecutive days, truck drivers called on the Islamic Emirate and Pakistani to sit for negotiations and facilitate the immediate reopening of the gate.

The drivers said that they have suffered severe economic losses.

“We want them to bring facilities in the issuance of visas. Pakistan wants a passport and also a visa. The issuance of visas is difficult,” said Jabar Momand, a truck driver.

“It has been three-days since the Torkham crossing was closed. We have fresh fruits which we want to transfer to Pakistan,” a driver said.

Officials within the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment (ACCI) said that Pakistan closed the gate as the Afghan drivers lacked visas. However, they stressed that truck drivers with electronic ID cards should be allowed to cross the crossing.

“We believe that the closure of Torkham crossing causes effects to both sides and we want to have trade with the neighboring and regional countries,” said Mohammad Younus Momand, deputy head of the ACCI.

“We want the Islamic Emirate particularly, Nooruddin Azizi, acting Minister of Industry and Commerce, to travel to Pakistan and find a solution for the problem which we always face,” said Zalmai Azemi, a trader.

The Afghanistan-Pakistan Joint Chamber called Pakistan’s decision unilateral and said that a mechanism should be formed in transit and trade between Kabul, Islamabad.

“This is a unilateral decision. Kabul and Islamabad should form a mechanism which should be implemented,” said Naqibullah Safi, chief executive officer of the Afghanistan-Pakistan Joint Chamber.

This comes as Hasibullah Gardezi, head of Paktia’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry, told TOLOnews that Kharlasi gate in Dand-e-Patan district has been closed to transit from Pakistan’s side since yesterday (Sunday).

According to him, visas have been requested from the drivers at this gate.

Gardizi said that because this gate is closed, many vehicles are stuck on both sides.