TORKHAM: The Afghan traders have reacted with outrage to the closing of the Torkham border, trapping the traders on their side of the border and criticizing the government for taking a wrong decision and demanding the instant restoration of the trade to save the economy from more losses.
The traders claimed that the four days of border closure had already left tens of trucks full of perishable goods stuck on both sides of the border, which led to massive financial loss, estimated by the traders.
“One Afghan trader said, “There are about 10,000 vehicles loaded with food and commercial goods that are going to spoil as a result of the prolonged closure of the border.” “The Afghans are the ones who are suffering the most due to this situation.”
The Torkham border trade is an economic lifeline for Afghanistan. It is one of the main import sources for the country. Sales of such essentials as food, construction materials, and consumer products are heavily dependent on imports from Pakistan. The closing of the border has led to disruption of supply chains, which has resulted in a shortage of goods and hence increased prices of goods in the market.
Another trader speaking on the same subject said, “We ask for the border to be opened on humanitarian grounds and as a sign of good neighbourly relations. The common people are the ones suffering the most due to the political tensions.”
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It is one of the main trade gateways at the Torkham border, where the two nations have experienced repeated closures lately due to diplomatic and security tensions. Analysts have cautioned that if such disturbances continue, then it may be hard for the already inflation and unemployment-plagued fragile Afghan economy to bear the strain further.
