KABUL (SW): An anonymous source at the Afghanistan’s Raisin, Fruits & Vegetables (RFV) Export Department has informed that 86 trucks of Iranian apples destined for export to Pakistan under the name of Afghanistan’s apples by an Afghan businessman have been denied entry at Torkham border by Pakistani customs.
These apples had been stopped by Pakistani customs at Torkham border nearly two months ago and Nemat Gul, the exporter of this shipment, has confirmed that the Pakistani customs didn’t allow the apples to enter Pakistan.
The anonymous source told Salam Watandar that lacking of ‘quality certificate’ except for two cars, lacking attestation of the origin of the export items, and the high quantity of toxins in the apples could be the reasons for denial of import of these apples.
According to the anonymous source, Pakistan does not allow Afghanistan’s exports of goods without these documents. However, the same documents will be required by the Afghanistan custom if these apples are returned back to Afghanistan.
Meanwhile, Akhtar Mohammad Ahmadi, Chairman of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Union told Salam Watandar that Pakistan does not allow the import of Iranian apples via Afghanistan. In addition, import of Iranian fruits under the name of Afghanistan’s fruits has forced Pakistan be stricter on the export of Afghanistan’s goods in order to control the illegal smuggling of Iranian goods under the name of Afghanistan goods.
According to Afghanistan’s RFV Export Department, due to economic sanctions on Iran, Afghanistan is considered to be the largest market for Iranian fresh fruits.
ENDS
