Truck drivers urge prime minister, army chief to intervene and let them cross the border
Trucks drivers demand PM Imran, army chief to intervene and let them cross the border. PHOTO: REUTERS/FILE
KARACHI: Despite Prime Minister Imran Khan directives to open the Pak-Afghan border for goods transport, hundreds of trucks loaded with trade goods are stranded at Chaman and Torkham borders.
Pakistan had earlier this month closed its western and eastern borders and suspended all international flights to and from Pakistan to contain the spread of novel coronavirus, which has affected nearly 1,600 people and left 17 dead.
Zahid Ullah, member of the Karachi Chamber and Afghan Transit Standing Committee, told The Express Tribune that around 1,500 vehicles were stuck at Chaman border and 800 stranded at Torkham border since last month.
In addition, he said, around 1,000 trucks on Afghan side are waiting to enter in Pakistan.
“They are over 6,600 drivers and conductors in the hundreds of trucks and their life is in danger,” he said, adding that the drivers have run out of cash and food and living in a miserable condition.
“Drivers are selling oil and tyres to meet their needs.”
PM Imran orders opening of Afghan border ‘despite global pandemic’
One of the drivers, Ali Muhammad, stranded at the Chaman border told The Express Tribune on phone that he is stuck at the border since last month due to which his family is facing immense difficulties and they do not have cash to buy food.
“We demand prime minister, Balochistan chief minister and army chief to direct the authorities concerned to let them cross the border.”
Another driver sharing the same ordeal said that they are in a deep trouble and the merchandise loaded in their trucks will likely to decay.
Zahid feared that if trucks were not allowed to cross the Pak-Afghan border the business community would bear the losses of billion of rupees. “We have written letters to Prime Minister Imran Khan and high officials of Pakistan Army requesting them to allow us to cross the border.”
On March 20, PM Imran had ordered opening of the border at Chaman “despite the global pandemic” to support Afghan “brothers and sisters” as the novel coronavirus stalks the region.
