LAHORE: A total of 10,000 metric tonnes Indian wheat has been transported to Afghanistan through Wagha border so far, said sources from the Collectorate of Customs Lahore.
It may be noted that the Collectorate is facilitating transportation of 50,000 metric tonnes of wheat and medicine from India to Afghanistan.
Initially, it was agreed that transportation of Indian wheat for the Afghan government would start from 22nd of February and continue until 22nd of March through Wagha border. The Afghan Transit Trade (ATT) cell of the Collectorate is clearing consignments with the help of appraisers possessing expertise in scrutinizing Goods Declaration (GDs). The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has instructed the Collectorate to facilitate the transportation of Indian wheat to Afghanistan.
As per the earlier assessments, the motorway authorities were of the view that it was not possible to carry more than 40 metric tonnes per truck, therefore, the whole process would continue for a period of one month. However, the process could not be completed within a period of one month and is likely to extend for another three to four months. The Afghan trucks are allowed to pass toll-free in Pakistani territory.
It may be noted that both the trucks and their drivers belong to Afghanistan to carry Indian wheat through Wagha border. Scanning of empty trucks from Afghanistan takes place at the Wagha border before their entry to India for Attari, followed by another scanning of loaded trucks returning from India for Afghanistan.
The Board has further directed to escort the trucks before their entry to Afghanistan through Torkham border. Accordingly, the Collectorate was escorting trucks soon after they enter the precincts of the province of Punjab from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Sources said the time frame would be extended to complete transportation of Indian wheat to Afghanistan. They said about four to five convoys of Afghan trucks could fetch Indian wheat so far. Each convoy of trucks carries 2000 to 3000 metric tonnes at a time they said and expressed the hope that the transportation may take another three months.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2022
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