Daily Times

Torkham Clearing Agents Association, on Monday, boycotted clearing process to protest against “One Goods Declaration (GD) Form One Truck Policy,” introduced by the Custom Centre at Torkham border.

Senior Clearing Agent Haji Jamal Afridi said that previously, they had cleared a number of vehicles at one time on one GD, which were loaded with export or import commodities. Yet, the newly-appointed assistant collector had issued direction according to which, one truck would be cleared at one clearing form.

He argued, “Through the fresh clearing process, the clearing agents will be able to clear only four to five vehicles each.”

Till the old clearing process was resumed agents would not give up their strike, Afridi added.

When Custom Assistant Collector Asma Paracha was contacted on the matter, she said that “One GD Form One Truck Policy” was not a new clearing process but a part of Web Base One Custom (WEBOC) system, introduced across the country.

She remarked, “Like other parts of the country, the customs department adopts every possible measure to implement WEBOC system in true spirit at Torkham border.” The ongoing strike has left thousands of loaded vehicles stranded at both sides of the border while long queues of trailers could be witnessed on Landi Kotal-Torkham Road.