11,000 to 12,000 Afghan transit trade, Central Asia containers stuck in Karachi port
PESHAWAR:
The Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) has warned that the prolonged closure of key border crossings at Ghulam Khan, Spin Boldak, Kharrachi and Torkham has caused massive financial losses to traders on both sides of the border.
Over 10,000 Pakistani and Afghan traders, along with transit trade shipments, are reportedly stranded in the Karachi port, resulting in billions of rupees in damages.
In a statement, SCCI President Junaid Altaf said the chamber had highlighted that 11,000 to 12,000 containers for Afghan transit trade and Central Asian Republic are stuck at Karachi port due to border closures. He added that thousands of export and import trucks belonging to traders are also parked at these borders where perishable goods deteriorate, causing escalating losses.
“The backlog of containers has forced traders to pay large demurrage days and detention fees daily, while the closure of borders has disrupted the transit trade supply chain, paralyzing port, transport and logistics services,” Altaf said. He warned that this situation not only severely affects national exports but also contributes to rising unemployment and puts traders who depend on cross-border trade under huge financial burden.
