Food, fruit imports from Afghanistan banned

LANDI KOTAL: The Pakistan customs and food department jointly imposed a ban on import of fresh fruits, other foods items from Afghanistan and stopped loaded trucks at Torkham border on Wednesday.

Sources said that Pakistan customs had placed seven conditions for importing goods from Afghanistan. The importers were asked to meet the required conditions before they could transport different fresh and other foods items including vegetables, fresh and dry fruits, cooking oil and ghee.

The authorities took action and stopped at least 50 trucks at Torkham border. They were yet not issued clearance documents to transport it inside Pakistan.

Meanwhile, All Torkham Customs Clearing Agents Association President Hayatullah Shinwari and others office-bearers told a press conference in Landikotal press club that in addition to other restrictions Pakistan customs is now snatching business from the tribal people. Rejecting the illegal conditions by the customs authorities Shinwari said the conditions imposed for import goods were impossible to fulfill by the transporters.

Hayatullah said import from Afghanistan was completely stopped which would also hit the national exchequer. He said 50 trucks loaded with different fresh fruits and vegetables were stranded at Torkham and would be wasted if not permitted to reach Peshawar and other Pakistani cities in time.

Shinwari said as reaction Afghanistan would also stop all its export and import from Pakistan.

The custom clearing agents and businessmen threatened to launch a protest if customs will not take back its conditions in one week they would be compelled to stage a protest at Torkham border.

When contacted an official at Torkham custom office said that they had placed necessary conditions and asked importers and transporters to submit the required documents to organise import from Afghanistan. He said without providing them the required documents they would not be allowed to import any kind of goods from Afghanistan.