Pakistan Customs adopts go-slow policy for Afghan transit trade

KARACHI: Pakistan Customs has opted for the policy of go-slow regarding clearance of goods for Afghan transit trade, due to the closure of border at Torkham, sources told Geo News Wednesday.

Sources at Pakistan Customs said that managing the huge quantity of containers is a difficult task, keeping in view their security. Therefore, the process of clearance and transporting of Afghan transit cargo will be slowed down, they added.

Qazi Zahid, a senior member of Customs Agents Association, said that around 3500 containers had been cleared under Afghan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement.

He said that around 100 containers were shipped daily from Karachi Port and around 40 percent of import clearance belonged to Afghan transit trade.

While 60 percent Afghan cargo was transported through Torkham border crossing, he said that more shipments were in the pipeline, which would create congestion at local ports.

In case of delay, the traders would bear heavy demurrage and port charges, he said.

Zahid said that shipping lines were taking around $100-$200 for each container as detention charges.

He said that at present no carrier was ready to transport Afghan cargo.