From Our Correspondent
PESHAWAR, Aug 6: The condition of Temporary Admission Documentation (TAD) for admission of trucks at Pak-Afghan border has caused sluggishness in the bilateral trade, creating long queues of goods laden heavy vehicles on both sides of the border.
This was said by Zia-ul-Haq Sarhadi, Coordinator Pak-Afghan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PAJCCI).
In a press statement issued here on Tuesday, Zia Sarhadi said earlier drivers of goods carrier trucks were issued Temporary Card (Route Pass) with expiry date of July 31. 2024. Whereas Pakistan authorities had set a deadline of July 15, 2024 from Afghan truck drivers to obtain TAD.
In the meanwhile, the Afghan authorities also asked Pakistan government not to allow any Afghan truck driver to cross Torkhem border without showing TAD from August 1, Zia shared.
If in case the Afghan driver does not possess TAD, he should be allowed on the condition of showing his passport and valid visa.
Following request from Taliban government, Pakistan authorities started implementation of TAD condition for passage of Afghan trucks carrying bilateral trade, he continued.
Whereas on Afghanistan side, the same practice was started and drivers carrying goods from Pakistan to Afghanistan were asked to show valid visa and passport.
On the night of August 1, Zia added, Afghan government also closed border for all type of crossing which caused accumulation of trucks on both sides, making a long queue on Pak-Afghan main communication route.
Zia Sarhadi who is also President of Frontier Custom Agents Association (FCCA) presented a suggestion for allowing crossing of good carrying trucks from both sides for a short period by lifting the conditions of TAD, Passport and Visa.
The permission, he continued, should be granted for clearing the backlog and for promotion of Pak-Afghan trade which despite of containing vast commercial potential is facing sluggishness due to policy decisions.
He said the TAD policy has been introduced for a period of one year under which drivers are asked to submitted registration of trucks, ID card, picture and 100 US dollar.
He also mentioned that reports are received that instead of US 100 dollar, drivers are asked to pay additional amount for early issuance of TAD.
Similarly, the Transit Trade goods which were exempted from TAD are also suffering due to rush of vehicles on main border and drivers are asked for additional condition of showing visa.
Zia also deplored non-implementation of a decision made during Pak-Afghan trade talk held in March 2024 regarding reversing of 100 percent bank guarantee, ban on 212 items in Pak-Afghan transit trade, 10 percent processing fee and some other conditions.
Due to these conditions a large portion of transit trade has been shifted to Chabahar and Bandar Abbas ports in Iran from Karachi port, rendering thousands of custom clearing agents, shipping agents, border agents, labour, transporters and bonded carriers as jobless, he added.
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