Pak-Afghan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PAJCCI) has expressed concern over closure of Pak-Afghan border at Torkhem for trade for the last almost 24 hours.
In a press statement issued here on Wednesday, Coordinator PAJCCI, Ziaul Haq Sarhadi said the border crossing at Torkham has been closed for goods laden trucks at around 4:00 pm of Tuesday.
Regarding reason behind closure, Zia shared that the decision of closing border has been taken after erection of a signboard at zero point inscribed with wording of `Goodbye Pakistan’.
He also informed that pedestrian crossing is open, but trucks are not allowed to cross border from both the sides.
Coordinator PAJCCI said it is very concerning for business community because closure of border inflicts heavy losses on business community of both the countries.
He said a lot of trucks are carrying perishable goods which can be rotten if delayed for a couple of days, burdening businessmen with huge losses.
Zia said already the volume of Pak-Afghan trade has shrank by around 70 percent after restriction over import of a number of items for transit trade, shifting large portion to Bandar Abbas port. He said in the prevailing scenario closing of border for trade is very detrimental for promotion of commerce in the region and between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
