On Tuesday, Afghanistan called on Pakistan to release thousands of containers of imports allegedly stuck at Karachi port since Pakistan tightened regulations on transnational cargo.
Pakistani authorities claim substantial losses in taxes as goods are sent duty-free from its ports to landlocked Afghanistan and then reportedly smuggled back across the border.
Afghan authorities argue that Pakistan has halted over 3,000 Afghanistan-bound containers at Karachi port, demanding additional tax and duty payments, resulting in significant financial losses for traders.
The issue was discussed in a meeting between Nooruddin Azizi, Afghanistan’s Minister of Industry and Commerce, and Jalil Abbas Jilani, the caretaker Minister of Foreign Affairs.
According to a statement from the Afghan embassy, the meeting addressed “the transit problems and challenges of the two countries.” An official from the Afghan consulate in Peshawar mentioned that hundreds of these containers have been parked for several months, with some held for over a year, leading to spoilage of goods and financial losses for traders.
This trade dispute is one of several contentious issues that have strained relations between Kabul and Islamabad since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in August 2021.
Last month, Pakistan ordered hundreds of thousands of illegal Afghan migrants to return home or face deportation. Pakistani officials stated that over 300,000 Afghans voluntarily left since November 1, while Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities insist that the majority were forcibly repatriated.
Farah Gogi Issues Rs5 Billion Defamation Notice to Attaullah Tarar Over Accusations
Meanwhile, a legal dispute has arisen between Farhat Shahzadi, also known as Farah Gogi, a close friend of PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, and prominent PML-N leader Attaullah Tarar. Gogi has sent a legal notice amounting to Rs5 billion to Tarar, accusing him of making unfounded and fabricated accusations during a recent press conference.
In the legal notice, Gogi challenges Tarar’s claims, stating that all her assets have been properly declared in her tax returns. She demands a public apology from Tarar within seven days, warning of defamation proceedings and a claim for damages totaling Rs5 billion if he fails to comply.
