Customs Agents Halt Trade at Torkham Border Over New Policy
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, customs clearing agents at the Torkham border have stopped processing trade goods due to a new policy. The agents are protesting because customs officials now require full details of vehicles carrying imports from Afghanistan before they reach the border, without prior weighing or scanning. This change has raised concerns among agents about being held responsible for any contraband found during later checks. Recently, ammunition was discovered in an import vehicle, highlighting these concerns.
The agents prefer the old system, where vehicles were weighed and scanned before submitting a joint goods declaration (GD) copy. The Torkham border, a crucial link between Pakistan and Afghanistan, has faced issues like long customs procedures and security concerns, affecting trade. Previously, protests occurred in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province over border closures, which often happen during the fruit and vegetable season. Despite infrastructure investments, the region’s strategic importance and instability continue to pose challenges.
Doubts Revealed
Customs Agents -: Customs agents are people who work at borders to check and clear goods that are being traded between countries. They make sure that everything is legal and safe.
Torkham Border -: The Torkham border is a crossing point between Pakistan and Afghanistan. It is very important for trade because many goods pass through here.
New Policy -: The new policy requires that all details about vehicles carrying goods must be provided before they arrive at the border. This is to ensure that no illegal items are being transported.
Contraband -: Contraband refers to illegal items that are not allowed to be traded or transported. This can include things like weapons or drugs.
Ammunition Discovery -: Ammunition refers to bullets and other materials used in weapons. Recently, some were found during checks, which made customs agents worried about being blamed if they miss something.
Goods Declaration -: A goods declaration is a document that lists all the items being traded. It is submitted to customs agents to ensure everything is legal and accounted for.
Regional Instability -: Regional instability means that the area around the Torkham border is not very safe or stable. This can be due to conflicts or political issues, making trade more difficult.