The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa business community has voiced its concerns over a large number of Afghan transit trade containers stuck at the Karachi port.
At a meeting in Peshawar on Saturday, the traders urged the government to facilitate the clearance process in the interest of trade between the neighbours.
The issue came up for discussion as traders and exporters involved in Afghan transit trade met Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) President Maqsood Anwar Parviz.
About 7,000 Afghan transit goods’ containers are awaiting “scanning” at the Karachi port, with traders and exporters forced to pay charges and duties.
Participants were informed that shipping companies were charging additional demurrage in the shape of rent from traders and exporters.
They saw no justification for the scanning of Afghan transit trade goods’ trucks/containers at the port and asked the authorities concerned to stop the practice forthwith.
The government was asked to keep borders open for the entire week, as only 100 containers/vehicles were currently allowed to cross the Durand Lines in five days.
