Pak blocks Afghan trucks after India closes Attari border following J&K attack
India-Afghanistan trade through the Attari-Wagah border has stopped after Pakistan denied passage to Afghan trucks. This comes after India closed the route for travellers following the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26.While direct trade between India and Pakistan via the integrated check post at Attari had mostly stopped after the Pulwama attack in 2019, Afghan goods were still entering India via this route. Around 40-45 Afghan trucks carrying dry fruits, apples, and other goods were reaching Attari daily. This movement has now ceased after India closed the Attari border following the April 22 terror attack in Baisaran Valley.advertisement"A communication has been received from the Pakistan side that now no Afghanistani trucks will be entering India. In the last two days, no Afghan truck has come to Attari. So the trade is shut and Pakistan has closed it," said Suraj Handa from the Land Port Authority of India (LPAI), speaking to India Today over the phone.
It is important to note that only Afghan imports were allowed through this route. Indian exports to Afghanistan were not permitted via Attari.The halt in trade has affected not just importers but also local workers and transporters. Afghan goods used to be picked up by local porters and trucks at the ICP. With the suspension, this activity has stopped, impacting local employment and businesses."The Indo-Pakistan trade was almost shut at this border after India imposed 200 percent duties after the Pulwama attack in 2019. Now just Afghan goods were coming to India and now that has also closed as Pakistan has announced that they won't allow their land for the trucks to cross to India," said importer Rajdeep Uppal.advertisement"Certainly the economy is impacted, but we respect the decision of the Indian Government," he added. A local porter said, "More than 1,400 porters work in Attari and with the closure of trade, households are impacted."Karabir Singh, who runs a dhaba near the border, said, "Trade has been a major source of employment for the locals but with this closure a major impact has come. Porters have to look after their families but now with the closure of the border, everything seems gloomy for them."The shutdown of the Attari-Wagah route for Afghan imports has led to a complete pause in goods movement via this land corridor.Must Watch
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