Despite claims of a ban on the export of fruits and vegetables, customs clearing agents and fruit importers at Torkham have reported that 100-115 vehicles carrying these goods continue to arrive in Pakistan from Afghanistan daily.
This ongoing trade contradicts the Pak-Afghan Joint Chamber of Commerce’s assertion that the Taliban government had imposed a ban on these supplies due to a recent increase in import duties by Pakistan, as reported by Dawn.
Dawn reported, citing its sources, that the flow of fruits and vegetables from Afghanistan continues, with no official notices of a ban being received. This suggests that trade in these goods remains active despite earlier claims of a prohibition.
In addition to the ongoing fruit and vegetable trade, sugar exports to Afghanistan have resumed after a four-year suspension. Over 400 vehicles have crossed the Torkham border in the last four days, carrying sugar shipments. Pakistan has recently allowed the export of 150,000 tons of sugar to Afghanistan, with a deadline of August 15 set for completing the shipment process.
Customs clearing agents reported that around 100 vehicles, each carrying 33 tons of sugar, crossed into Afghanistan four days ago, with more vehicles continuing to transport the sweetener. The government had previously imposed a ban on sugar exports four years ago to address shortages and control domestic prices.
The Khyber tribal district administration, in collaboration with the police, has established several checkposts along the Peshawar-Torkham Highway to combat sugar smuggling. Authorities seized large quantities of sugar from warehouses in Torkham and Landi Kotal and arrested numerous smugglers following the imposition of the ban.
Despite these efforts, authorities struggled to prevent sugar smuggling. Traders employed various methods, including using young daily wagers and porters, to transport sugar across the border where demand was high illegally. The lifting of the ban has been welcomed by sugar exporters and transporters, who faced significant difficulties due to the previous restrictions.
Meanwhile, the Torkham border has faced congestion issues. Vehicles carrying various goods have been stuck on the Pakistani side of the border for the past two to three days. This disruption is attributed to a backlog of empty Afghan vehicles lacking temporary admission documents (TAD), which has congested the border road.
Transporters in Torkham and Landi Kotal reported that Afghan drivers without TADs were not allowed to transport trade consignments, as agreed upon by trade and security officials from both countries. Similarly, Pakistani transporters were also restricted from importing goods from Afghanistan without the necessary documentation.
Pakistan and Afghanistan had previously agreed to issue TADs to transporters from both sides who lacked visas or passports for a fixed period. To obtain a TAD, transporters were required to provide their national identity cards, vehicle registration numbers, and recent photos and deposit a $100 fee for the six-month document.
Earlier, both countries had barred entry for transporters lacking valid travel documents. However, transporters claim that around 80 percent of their colleagues, both Afghan and Pakistani, still lack TADs. This situation is attributed to the high registration fee or limited awareness about the registration process.
The ongoing trade issues and recent developments at the Torkham border highlight the complexities of cross-border commerce between Pakistan and Afghanistan. The resumption of sugar exports and the continued import of fruits and vegetables demonstrate the dynamic nature of trade relations between the two countries.
Addressing the documentation and congestion issues at the border will be crucial for maintaining a smooth trade flow. Enhanced cooperation and communication between Pakistani and Afghanistan can help resolve these challenges and ensure a stable and efficient trading environment for both nations.
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