News - Business

Only a few Afghan paused containers were released by Pakistani forces, several Afghan traders said on Sunday.

As the Pakistani traders promised to release all Afghan containers from Karachi port and Peshawar city in ten days, but after 12 days the military has released only 165 containers, Afghan traders said.

The containers released by Pakistan military forces had arrived to the Mohmand Agency before Nato air strike which killed 24 Pakistani soldiers.

On November 26th last year, a Nato air strike on two Pakistani checkpoints in Mohmand Agency killed 24 Pakistani soldiers.

In reaction to the strike, Pakistani officials blocked Nato supply route.

The blockade caused serious problems for Afghan traders, as hundreds of the trade trucks have been stopped in Pakistan.

Afghan traders criticised Pakistan and called on the Afghan government to address the issue.

"When Pakistan's Foreign Minister, Hinna Rabbani Khar, visited Afghanistan recently, she promised to get all Afghan containers released but she didn't stick to her promise," Afghan trader Obaidullah said.

Traders said that the Afghan government has not taken necessary actions to solve their problems.

"The Finance and Commerce ministers are aware of the issue, but unfortunately they haven't taken any necessary measures to resolve the issue," Afghan trader, Hamdard Hossam, said.

Seven hundred containers worth around $80m have been paused in Pakistan, according to the traders.

Afghan traders have to pay $150 as fine to the Pakistan government which is considered a major loss.