Security officials on Friday sealed Torkham border after the Afghan National Army tortured two Pakistani labourers for the second time in a week. It is to be mentioned here that truck drivers took out a protest, blocking the road and complained of alleged torture of two Pakistani truck drivers by Afghan officials.
Two truck drivers were heading into Afghanistan seeking work when they were intercepted by Afghan security personnel at a check post, who allegedly subjected the job-seekers to torture and tore up their passports and other travelling documents.
The tortured Pakistanis returned back to the Pak-Afghan border where they were joined by other truck drivers who held protests against the treatment meted out to them by the Afghan personnel. Drivers complained that Afghan security personnel routinely harass and torture the job-seekers at various check posts situated within Afghanistan. "It seems that the Afghan security forces are using these tactics to force Pakistani labourers out of their country," they added.
It was not the first time the Afghan forces had tortured Pakistani labourers. A similar incident had occurred earlier this week on December 22, and the border was closed after 29 Pakistani labourers were tortured by Afghan security personnel. The officials said Torkham border gate with Afghanistan would be reopened after an assurance from Afghan authorities that action would be taken against personnel involved in the torture of Pakistani labourers, and a firm commitment that such incidents would not happen in future.