PESHAWAR: Stranded owners of trucks and their drivers at Pak-Afghan border, Torkham, staged a protest on Thursday. Dozens of protesters holding black flags and placards, inscribed with their demands, chanted slogans in favour of border’s opening and demanded smooth economic activities and transportation across the border.
The protesters told media that due to the closure of border, trade and commercial activities had come to a halt, and they were facing hardships in boarding and lodging. The protesters dispersed after an hour of demonstrations.
On the other hand, the authorities allowed 128 trucks loaded with coal and ceramic clay to proceed to their destinations. All these loaded trucks arrived at Torkham from Afghanistan on February 16 but remained stranded due to no customs clearance.
After remaining closed for 18 days, Pakistani authorities temporarily reopened the border with Afghanistan for two days on Tuesday after which thousands of people flocked to crossings at Torkham and Chaman.
Political Tehsildar Shams ul Islam, later, confirmed border closure late on Wednesday. He said that during these two days over 21,000 Afghans entered Afghanistan at Torkham and 969 Pakistanis returned from Afghanistan.
According to authorities, the Afghan government was informed that the border will remain open for two days and only people with valid visa will be allowed. No Afghan national, despite possessing a valid visa was granted entry; similarly, no Pakistani national was permitted to enter Afghanistan.
