Indo-Pak trade on a halt at Attari border, traders feel the pinch

The Indo-Pak trade operating through the Attari Border came to a standstill as the porters went on strike, leaving hundreds of trucks stranded on both sides of the border.

As the porters had gone on strike demanding certain extra charges for unloading goods at the Integrated Check Post, through which the trade operates between the two nations.

As around 15 trucks carrying various commodities leave for Pakistan every day, around 150 to 200 trucks are imported by Pakistan through the ICP each day. As the deadlock continued till Tuesday afternoon, trucks on both sides remained stranded and the traders had no option other than playing the waiting game.

As one approaches towards the ICP at Attari border, one can spot around hundred trucks lined up along the road. They are waiting for trade to resume so that they can enter the ICP and load goods that came from Pakistan.

The Truckers are waiting since past four days with a hope that things will get better. But on Tuesday too, Trade between two nations was affected due to strike.

Prominent items that are sent to India by Pakistan include cement, gypsum, dry fruits, soda ash and few other products.

As the truck drivers have no option other than waiting along the road, driver Surjit Singh said, "We have come here at the border to load items that have come from Pakistan but due to strike, we are facing numerous problems and going through losses. We have to stay here or go back home. It is a dispute of porters but we are being unduly harassed."

Another driver, Harpal Singh also stated that due to strike about hundred trucks are waiting at the border and there is no relief.

As traders are also facing the heat due to the ongoing strike, importer Vikrant Arora, who imports Pakistani cement said, "The strike is on past four days and we are facing losses every day. Our goods that have come from Pakistan are stuck up at the border and we are just going to border every day with a hope that things will get better. WE want Central government to intervene and resolve the deadlock."

Another importer Jassa Singh Sandhu, said, "The trade is totally blocked at the Attari Border and trading community is facing losses every day. Trucks are stuck on both Indian as well as the Pakistani side. Government must interfere and ensure relief to the trade.