PESHAWAR: More than 2,000 Pakistani trucks transporting Afghan citizens back to their homeland have been stranded in Afghanistan for over a month. Hundreds of drivers and conductors are also enduring difficult conditions across the border.
According to the French news agency AFP, Latif Gul, President of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mini Mazda Truck Owners Association, claimed that Afghan authorities are not allowing the trucks to return, causing severe hardships for truck owners and drivers.
He further said drivers have been away from their homes for more than a month, and truck owners are running out of money to cover daily expenses. Due to increased operational costs, the freight charges for vehicles traveling to Afghanistan have also risen, and drivers are reluctant to continue their journeys.
Gul warned that if the issue is not resolved promptly, the Rang Road in Peshawar will be closed, and the movement of all containers destined for Afghanistan will be halted.
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He called on the governments of Pakistan and Afghanistan to find an immediate and lasting solution to ensure the safe return of the stranded trucks and drivers.