In the past four days, over 400 vehicles have crossed the Torkham border, transporting sugar to Afghanistan.

Sources indicate that Pakistan has recently authorized the export of 150,000 tons of sugar to Afghanistan, with a deadline of August 15 for the completion of shipments. Customs clearing agents at Torkham reported that around 100 vehicles, each carrying 33 tons of sugar, crossed into Afghanistan recently.

The export ban on sugar, implemented four years ago, was aimed at addressing domestic shortages and controlling prices. During the ban, the Khyber tribal district administration, supported by police, set up checkposts along the Peshawar-Torkham Highway to curb sugar smuggling. Despite these efforts, smuggling continued, with traders using various methods to bypass restrictions.

The lifting of the ban has been welcomed by sugar exporters and transporters, who had been significantly impacted by the restriction.

In related news, customs clearing agents and fruit importers at Torkham have reported that 100-115 vehicles carrying fruits and vegetables are entering Pakistan daily from Afghanistan. This contradicts claims by the Pak-Afghan Joint Chamber of Commerce regarding a ban on these imports following a recent increase in import duties by Pakistan.

Sources confirm that fruits and vegetables are still being imported from Afghanistan, with no official notices of a ban issued.

However, a backlog of vehicles has been reported at the Pakistani side of the border due to congestion caused by Afghan vehicles lacking temporary admission documents (TAD). Transporters have indicated that both Afghan and Pakistani drivers are currently unable to transport goods without the required documentation.

Pakistan and Afghanistan had agreed to issue TADs to transporters lacking visas or passports for a specified period, with requirements including national identity cards, vehicle registration numbers, recent photographs, and a $100 fee for a six-month TAD.

Transporters have expressed concerns that a significant number of both Afghan and Pakistani drivers still lack TADs due to financial constraints or limited awareness of the registration process. (ILKHA)