Despite nearly a month having passed since the official opening of the “Angur Adda” border crossing for trade with Pakistan, several Afghan traders claim that the necessary facilities for its use have still not been provided by the de-facto government in Afghanistan.
These traders report that the poor condition of roads from the Argon district in Afghanistan’s Paktika province to the Pakistan border, along with the lack of warehouses, are the primary obstacles to transit trade via the Angur Adda crossing.
Sayed Marjan, an Afghan trader, explains, “The customs area is small, and there are no security posts or warehouses to store commercial goods. If the road is improved, it would be closer and better than other routes, and it would also make transportation cheaper for us.”
Another Afghan trader, Samirjan, adds, “The road from Sorubi is in bad condition; it is not properly constructed, and there are many problems. There are no facilities at the border customs, no warehouses, and the customs management lacks storage space as well.”
Officials from the Paktika Chamber of Commerce and Investment also emphasize the need to construct roads, warehouses, and other necessary facilities to ensure the functionality of the Angur Adda border crossing.
Silab Sahel, head of the Paktika Chamber of Commerce and Investment, says, “The road from Argon to Sorubi district is unpaved, and these roads and warehouses need to be built. The necessary conditions for transit must be established.”
Meanwhile, Makhdum Abdul Salam Saadat, the deputy governor of Paktika, stresses the importance of using the Angur Adda border crossing for trade with Pakistan, promising that all necessary facilities will be provided. He adds, “When transit takes place from one province, it benefits others as well. Goods are imported and exported through this route. That’s why all relevant departments are constructing buildings, and job opportunities are being created for some people.”
According to the Paktika Chamber of Commerce and Investment, using the Angur Adda border crossing, which is 500 kilometers closer to the port of Karachi than other Pakistani border crossings, reduces costs for traders.
