Daily Times

Hundreds of small-time traders, daily wagers and porters on Tuesday stormed a terminal established by the National Logistic Cell (NLC) at the Torkham border for interfering in their cross-border movement and making it mandatory for everyone to carry passport for verification before crossing into Afghanistan.

Reportedly, an “angry mob” of protesters broke CCTV cameras, sign boards and main gate of the terminal while chanting full-throat slogans against NLC staff for refusing to let them cross the border.

The NLC had imposed strict rules for porters and daily-wage workers as they are required to have the border security stamp on their passports every time before crossing into Afghanistan. Moreover, they locked NLC offices and threatened to forcibly halt all import and export activities at the terminal.

Besides, a large number of truckers, local businessmen and auto-parts dealers also participated in the ‘protest’.

According to an NLC official, under a new set of rules tribesmen were to be facilitated, however they have been craving for a free-for-all crossing-point.

Later, protesters called off their agitation when concerned authorities negotiated with them that their grievances would be addressed within 10 days.

Published in Daily Times, October 31^st 2018.