Shutterdown in SW on 30th if Angoor Adda border not reopened

By Tahir Khan

ISLAMABAD: Representatives of South Waziristan’s business community on Wednesday announced a complete strike on June 30 if the government fails to reopen Angoor Adda border with Afghanistan.

The border was closed nearly 22 months ago, which has badly affected business activities in the militancy-hit Waziristan, Saif-ur-Rehman, the South Waziristan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SWCCI) president, said.

ONE-DOCUMENT REGIME

The border was closed in September 2023 after locals in Waziristan opposed the government policy to introduce a one-document regime for everyone crossing the Pak-Afghan border.

“We have been repeatedly demanding the government to reopen the border crossing, but unfortunately our demands have not yet been met,” Saif told Hum News after holding a meeting of all unions in Lower Waziristan.

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“The government’s lukewarm response to our demands have forced us to go for a shutter-down strike,” he said.

He said the Afghan side had made arrangements and awaited a response from Pakistan.

Angoor Adda is one of the major trade routes between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

GHULAM KHAN VS ANGOOR ADDA

Meanwhile, Ghulam Khan, another border point in North Waziristan, is open but very few commercial vehicles cross the border daily, according to locals.

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Saif said authorities had told traders that the border would be reopened on June 24, but the promise was not honoured like similar previous commitments.

“This is the season in Waziristan of fresh fruit and vegetables and we want to export these essential items to Afghanistan,” he said.

Sharing details, the local leader said traders representatives had visited Afghanistan and requested them to reopen the border from their side.

“They consulted senior officials in Kabul and later informed us and the Pakistani authorities that they are ready. But our side is not yet willing to reopen it,” Saif revealed.

SHIFTED TO PUNJAB AND UAE

He said many businessmen in South Waziristan had shifted to Punjab and even the United Arab Emirate due to closure of the border, which brought economic activities to a standstill.

Saif said halt to the business activities had resulted in huge losses to the business community as well as to the national treasury. “But unfortunately the concerned quarters do not pay attention to our problems,” he added.