JALALABAD (SW): Tension between Afghanistan and Pakistan at the Torkham crossing point and eventual border skirmishes have inflicted financial losses worth millions to traders in this part of the country.
Since Sunday, the Afghan Border Police (ABP) has been exchanging fire with Pakistan’s paramilitary force the Frontier Constabulary (FC) at Torkham that has led to casualties on both sides.
Heavy cross shelling from Pakistan has damaged tens of vehicles and shops in Torkham, traders said.
Mohammad Sabir, a trader in Torkham who was busy collecting the leftover at his shop told Salam Watandar that the locals are on the move. “As many as 30 vehicles are burned down, shops are closed and the traders are witnessing losses worth millions of rupees on daily basis”, he said.
The traders have been busy moving their goods to safer areas.
Sayamuddin Pasarlay, spokesman for the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI) said in this regard that traders have suffered a great deal due to the prevailing situation. He added that the consumer prices of a number of commodities have swollen-up by as much as 50 percent. “If situation prevails and we have no other choice then we would rout away our trade from Pakistan to other ways”, he said.
The ACCI spokesman has called upon the traders to use the Sher Khan, Chabahar, Islam Qala and Hairatan ports instead of Torkham. He also called upon both the Afghan and Pakistani officials to resolve the crisis at Torkham peacefully.
Meanwhile, the provincial administration in Nangarhar has tasked a committee to probe the losses in Torkham. Attaullah Khogyani, spokesman for the provincial administration told Salam Watandar that the committee comprises of representatives from Jalalabad City, Torkham Municipality, customs and commerce departments.
A day earlier, there were reports about ceasefire at Torkham following a meeting between Hazrat Omar Zakhailwal, the Afghan Ambassador in Pakistan, and Pakistan’s civilian and military leaders in Islamabad. This however, proved short-lived when Zakhailwal charged Pakistan for going on erecting installations at the zero point against the understanding and agreements.
ENDS
