Vans drivers demand PM Imran, military chief to intervene and allow them to cross the border. PHOTO: REUTERS/FILE
KARACHI: Tons of of Pakistani truckers and their helpers are stranded on the Afghan facet of the border at two essential border crossings regardless of the prime minister’s orders for opening the border for good transport.
The Chaman and Torkham border crossings with Afghanistan and the Wagah border crossing with India had been closed earlier this month in an try to forestall the unfold of the novel coronavirus, which has contaminated practically 1,600 folks and killed 17 of them.
Zahidullah, a member of the Afghan Transit Standing Committee, advised The Categorical Tribune that round 1,500 vehicles carrying transport containers are caught at Chaman and 800 at Torkham since final month.
Moreover, round 1,000 trailers are ready on the Afghan facet of the border to enter Pakistan.
“They are over 6,600 drivers and their helpers in these trucks and their life is at risk,” he mentioned, including that the drivers have run out of money and meals and reside in depressing circumstances. “They are selling oil and tyres of their vehicles to meet their needs.”
PM Imran orders opening of Afghan border ‘despite global pandemic’
One of many drivers stranded at Chaman mentioned he has been caught on the border crossing since final month on account of which his household is going through immense difficulties and so they do not have money to purchase meals.
“We demand that the prime minister and the army chief direct the authorities concerned to let us cross the border,” Ali Muhammad advised The Categorical Tribune by the cellphone from Chaman.
One other driver mentioned they are in a deep bother and the perishable items loaded on their vehicles has began rotting and decaying.
Zahidullah feared that if their vehicles weren’t allowed to cross the border the enterprise neighborhood would bear losses value billions of rupees.
“We have written letters to Prime Minister Imran Khan and high officials of Pakistan Army requesting them to allow us to cross the border,” he added.
On March 20, Premier Imran ordered opening of the border at Chaman “despite the global pandemic” to assist Afghan “brothers and sisters” because the novel coronavirus crept into the area.
