Karachi port auctions hundreds of containers of Afghan traders’ goods — Pajhwok

KABUL (Pajhwok): Karachi Port Customs has put hundreds of containers carrying Afghan traders’ goods that had been stranded at the port up for auction, a move the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce has condemned as a violation of regional and international trade laws. According to the BBC, high taxes on the stranded containers and consignments, along with extension fees and prolonged delays, have been cited as reasons for the auction. Matiullah, an Afghan trader, also confirmed that the auction of Afghan traders’ stranded goods at Karachi Port began a few days ago following the closure of trade and transit routes between Afghanistan and Pakistan. The report said Afghan Chamber of Commerce officials had described Pakistan’s action as contrary to regional and international trade laws. According to the report, Pakistan allowed Afghan transit goods to leave the country early this year and announced that Afghan traders could transfer their stranded goods from Karachi and other Pakistani ports to their countries of origin or other destinations. At the time, the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries said around 15,000 containers and consignments belonging to Afghan traders were at risk of being auctioned at Pakistani ports. According to the Afghanistan-Pakistan Joint Chamber of Commerce, more than 60 percent of these goods have been returned to their countries of origin, while some consignments have been…