Daily Times

KHYBER AGENCY: The clearing process of export and import items was halted on Tuesday as the strike carried out by the Clearing Agents Association (CAA) of Torkham against the implementation of Web Based One Customs (WeBOC) continued on its second day.

Earlier, the CAAhad announcedan indefinite strike against the WeBOC.

The association had established a protest camp in Torkham and carried out a protest demonstration in favour of their demands. The angry mob carried black flags and chanted slogans against the implementation of the WeBOC system.

They also initiated a sit-in on the main road of Torkham, which suspended the entire traffic.

The office holders of the association set conditions including the provision of a full-fledged training facility to the clearing agents community as well as to the customs officials, availability of fast universal Internet, undisrupted supply of power and obtaining of WeBOC user ID etc and made it clear that until their demands are met, they will notresume their work in the custom house.

Talks of negotiation were also held between the representatives of the agents association, the administration and customs officials, however, no solution was met, administration officialsinformed.

Because of the shutting of goods clearing process, parking lots were packed with long wheel drive loaded vehicles on both sides of the border.

Published in Daily Times, February 28^th 2018.