Transporters’ protest on Pakistan-Afghanistan highway enters new phase; warning of expansion of sit-ins

Khyber – Kabul Times News

The protest and sit-in of truck drivers and owners on the important Pakistan-Afghanistan highway in the Landikotal area of ​​Khyber has entered a new phase. The protesters have warned that if their demands remain unanswered, they will expand the scope of the protests to other transit routes and border crossings.

According to reports, dozens of transporters have protested against the problems that have challenged the transportation and trade process between Afghanistan and Pakistan by holding a protest rally and blocking parts of the transit route.

The protesters say that the increase in transportation costs, administrative restrictions, long delays in the passage of trucks and some new regulations related to trade and transit have imposed significant financial losses on them. They have urged Pakistani authorities to take immediate action to resolve these issues and facilitate normal transport activities.

Transport representatives have stressed that if the current situation continues and the authorities remain indifferent, the protests will spread and may affect other important trade routes.

Meanwhile, local Pakistani authorities have not yet officially commented on the protesters’ demands and the fate of the negotiations, but reports indicate that efforts are underway to negotiate and find a solution between the parties.

Economic experts warn that the continuation of these protests could disrupt bilateral trade between Afghanistan and Pakistan and delay the movement of commercial goods through the Torkham border. According to them, any prolonged interruption in transit activities will have significant economic consequences for traders and markets in the two countries.

Reports indicate that transport workers will continue their sit-ins and protests until they receive a clear and practical response from the responsible institutions.