ISLAMABAD: Importers, exporters, customs clearing agents, transporters, traders, and local representatives associated with the Torkham border have urged the government to immediately reopen the border for all trade activities, release pending tax refunds, compensate affected businesses, and announce a special relief package to revive the border economy.
Speaking at a joint press conference at the National Press Club, representatives of the business community said the prolonged closure of the Torkham border for nearly 10 to 11 months has pushed the economy of border areas into a severe crisis. They said the people of Khyber and Torkham depend almost entirely on cross-border trade for their livelihoods, as the region lacks major industries and sufficient agricultural opportunities.
The delegation included Customs Clearing Agents Association President Mujeeb Shinwari, former MPA Shafiq Sher Afridi, former President Amail Khan Shinwari, Presidential Adviser Abu Bakar Afridi, Vice President Umar Shinwari, Finance Secretary Rafiq Shinwari, Press Secretary Rizwanullah Shinwari, senior customs clearing agent Shah Jahan Shinwari, Zahidullah Shinwari, Ayaz Shinwari, Transport President Azeemullah Shinwari, and Transport Secretary Saqlain Shinwari.
The speakers stressed that traders have no affiliation with politics and urged the government to keep politics separate from trade by ensuring the uninterrupted restoration of border commerce. They said Pakistani traders have billions of rupees tied up in Afghan markets, and until trade resumes, neither the recovery of investments nor the revival of businesses will be possible.
The business representatives also highlighted that offices and other commercial infrastructure located at Zero Point suffered extensive damage during recent border tensions. They called on the government to conduct an immediate survey of the affected properties and provide adequate compensation to traders and business owners.
The traders further urged the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and the Ministry of Commerce to release long-pending tax refunds for importers and exporters, saying the business community is already struggling with heavy financial losses caused by the border closure. They also demanded the announcement of a special relief package to support affected businesses.
The speakers noted that despite the establishment of a modern terminal at Torkham by the National Logistics Corporation (NLC) with the support of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), commercial activity at the facility has virtually come to a standstill due to the border closure, with only the repatriation of Afghan refugees currently taking place. They also alleged that traders are being charged additional fees under various heads, further increasing their financial burden.
They warned that the suspension of cross-border trade is not only affecting Khyber Pakhtunkhwa but is also disrupting industries across Punjab, Sindh, and other parts of the country. Exports of rice, cement, medicines, agricultural products, fruits, vegetables, and other commodities have been severely impacted, while the government is also losing billions of rupees in customs duties, taxes, and other revenues.
The representatives cautioned that if the situation persists, unemployment, poverty, and social challenges in the border region will continue to worsen, increasing the risk of youth turning towards unlawful activities. They appealed to the federal and provincial governments, the Ministry of Commerce, the FBR, security institutions, and other relevant authorities to immediately restore border trade, compensate affected businesses, clear pending refunds, and introduce a comprehensive relief package to prevent further economic deterioration in the border areas.
