Afghan and Pakistani transporters stranded on the road leading to Torkham border have appealed to the authorities to keep bilateral trade separate from political and security issues between the two countries. Due to the ongoing tension between the two countries, cross-border traffic has been completely disrupted since October 13. Transporters told the local media that they are facing a lot of problems, they are short of money, and at the same time they are feeling helpless physically and mentally.

Quoting stranded transporters, Pakistan’s leading newspaper Dawn said that about 4000 to 5000 vehicles carrying various types of goods are waiting for the border to open, but no firm date is yet visible for the resumption of trade relations between the two countries. He said that they are facing many problems, ranging from security of personal and belongings to loss of money and mental harassment due to lack of food and water.

Problem of transporter unions

A local transporter told the newspaper that many of his colleagues have run out of food, water, medicines and money to maintain their loaded vehicles in the last two weeks. He said that none of the so-called transporter unions asked about their problems, while brokers and consignment owners were not paying attention to their financial problems as they were refusing to unload the existing consignments to save them from further losses. They are finding it difficult to protect their loaded vehicles, arrange for food and water and sleep on the hard surface of the road, but the problem is that there is no option. Their concerns came to the fore after the tension between Afghanistan and Pakistan increased on October 11, when there were blasts in Kabul and Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaki was in India. In response, the Taliban launched a deadly attack on the border with Pakistan.

Both countries agreed on ceasefire

After a fierce battle that lasted for more than a week, both countries agreed to a ceasefire. Many people were killed and hundreds were injured during this period. Pakistan has accused the Taliban of allowing several groups, including Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), to operate from “safe places” in Afghanistan, although Kabul rejected this outright. The Taliban blamed Pakistan’s aggressive actions, including the airstrike on Kabul, as the reason for the escalation of the conflict.

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Illegal immigrants: 53 Afghan children illegally entered from the border of Pakistan’s Khyber district have been sent back to their country. According to officials, these children came to Pakistan in search of work and cut the fence on the border and entered the country. All of them were caught and detained and sent back to Afghanistan under legal processes.

On Sunday (March 23), Pakistani officials posted at Tarkham Border Outpost completed the process of sending these Afghan children back. Border security agencies said that the caught children have been entrusted to Afghan officials under the appropriate legal process. The number of illegal infiltrators coming from Afghanistan is steadily increasing, which is being increased to stop the border vigil.

Eligel entry of Afghan citizens in Pakistan

In Pakistan, the number of Afghan citizens who entered the Eligel Taki is continuously increasing. According to officials, about 700 people try to cross the border every day. Many times women and children are also involved, who try to reach Pakistan in search of better life. Security agencies have recently tightened security along the border and have also increased the monitoring of Eligel entry so that such activity can be controlled.

Pakistan tightens border security

In recent months, Pakistan has taken strict steps about its border security. Additional forces are being deployed to stop illegal migrants and modern technology is also being used. According to officials, monitoring on the border is being further strengthened so that any unauthorized entry can be prevented. Pakistan has made it clear that no one will be allowed to enter the country without legitimate documents and this rule will be strictly followed.