Torkham border: 150 containers allowed to cross over into Afghanistan daily

A joint meeting of Khyber District Customs, NLC, FC and police officials was held at Pak-Afghan border Torkham wherein it was decided to allow cross-over of 150 transit goods loaded containers to Afghanistan on daily basis.

The decision has been taken while keeping in view the difficulties of traders and plight of transporters. Since the recent opening of the border only 100 transit containers were crossing over to Afghanistan through Torkham border.

After the meeting, a delegation of transporters also called on District Police Officer Khyber Dr Muhammad Iqbal to apprise him of difficulties faced by them.

The DPO said that the policy has been formulated on the directives of the provincial government, saying they are well aware of the problems and difficulties faced by transporters and traders. However, to solve the problems of transporters, we will work with the agencies and authorities to find a reasonable solution," Dr Muhammad Iqbal added.

He assured the transporters and traders that departmental action against policemen involved in unnecessarily harassing freight vehicles heading to Afghanistan on the Pak-Afghan Highway and Torkham Border.

Khyber police is present day and night to serve the transporters, he added. The DPO said that the number of 100 transit vehicles has been increased to 150 on a daily basis by the provincial government. Now it is up to the drives, traders, and transit vehicles owners to proceed toward Torkham border at their number and assured the transporters that no one would be abused by the police.

He assured that they will provide all possible facilities to the transporters going to Afghanistan on the Torkham border. He said that their doors are open for transporters.

The transporters and people of Khyber Landikotal district have appreciated and thanked District Police Officer Dr Muhammad Iqbal for his efforts and ensuring facilitation to the transporters.