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.

Also read: Pakistan will tremble! Enemy will not be able to look towards India, MUM-T created rebellion before Trishul