The loose border of Thorkham

Thorkham- a vital border post

                                                                Dated 5^th April 2012

Tarique Khan Javed

President, Overseas Pakistani Investors Forum

The chaos, confusion, mismanagement and loopholes at the vital border post of Pakistan is unbelievable. My recent visit to the border left a bad taste in my mouth. In the aftermath of 9/11 and 11 years of War on Terror, such a loose border surprised me. The ease at which people were crossing from Afghanistan to Pakistan without any papers was amazing. Federal Authorities like Passport Control, Customs, FIA, IB appeared to be missing from the post, delegating all authority to the Local Militia. With two large forts of FC and a Garrison of Pak Army at Landi Kotal, militarily the 80 km stretch from Peshawar to Thorkham is firmly in Federal Government’s hand. However the movement of people and goods seems to be discretion of local militias.

A loose International border:

I, observed on the border that random check of incoming people were going on. Bribe was being paid at various points. However people with or without papers were crossing without much hindrance. A talk with some local Militia officials revealed a lax attitude towards the immigrants on the basis of Pakhtun nationalism. They felt that stopping these very poor immigrants from Afghanistan would be a cruel act. These people are coming because they are suffering in Afghanistan. Besides as an Official of Khyber Agency, they felt that based of tradition of  Pakhtun hospitality, they could not stop a poor Afghan to come to their Agency in search of livelihood.

As far as goods are concerned, I could see hundreds of trucks waiting to cross the border with Agriculture products like Potato, Onion, Chicken, Eggs, Vegetable ect. The wait was long and unpredictable. The incoming trucks mostly carried Coal in bags and scrape steel. Besides that, spare parts like bumper, lights, doors of cars, electronic goods and expensive cloth was being smuggled into Pakistan. Near Jumrud there is a relatively effective check post of FC. To circumvent this Check Post, the smuggled goods are disembarked before the Check Post and then carried on head and shoulders by hundreds of people over the mountain to the other side, were empty trucks are waiting. It is a strange and funny seen. A column of porters going up the mountain with full loads, in full view of passing traffic, just near the check post was a strange site. The logic is that while the Road is officially in Federal Governments control, mountains are not. The fact that everyone can see this strange transaction, is not any body’s concern.

I have never seen such ceremonial border and Check Post any where else in the World.

Major trade route of the World:

This vital border linking South Asia to Europe and CIS countries has been in use since a long time. The pass is the only viable crossing point through the very high mountain range which border Pakistan and Afghanistan. Although Kabul River enters Pakistan not very far from this point; that route has never been favored. There must be good reason for that. Implying that this Pass is essential for trade between three major trading blocks of the World. A visit to the pass is  disappointing. The roads are in very bad shape and many peaks need to be crossed. The veir and tear of vehicles using this route is very high. On the other hand we have developed excellent road (Motarway)  between Lahore and Peshawar and between Kohat and Peshawar. The large tunnel between Kohat and Peshawar has made travel so easy and safe. A handsome toll tax of Rs 1,100 is charged, per truck, for using the tunnel yet the truckers are most grateful to the Government for cutting this tunnel. One wonders why the  Motorway can not be extended to Thorkham with two to three tunnels of the size of Kohat tunnel. This can make life to truckers were smooth and help this vital international trade. This trade is poised to increase many fold in coming years; as SAFTA gets implemented and peace in Afghanistan is firmly established.

Agencies should be abolished:

One impediment in this could be the Agency status of the pass. Where by Federal Government has to carry development activities through the corrupt and incompetent Agency Officials. However if Federal Government has the will this obstructer can be easily overcome now. As militarily we have full control of the Area now, no one can stop making good roads. The 200 Km road from TANK to WANA was upgraded to good road during the last few years without any hindrance and has made the life of people of South Waziristan so much better. The good quality road between Kohat and Peshawar with an extended tunnel, also pass through Orakzia and Khyber Agencies. People of these Agencies are most grateful for this development.

Given the fact that 80% of FATA is now firmly in Government Control. A political will is required to absorb these territories into Pakistan. Militarily this can be done. The resistance of Militant Group benefiting from previous lawlessness in these territories is weakening by the day and soon would disappear as they are no match for Pakistan Army backed by International forces.

From International security point of view also Federal Government should take full control of this 80 KM stretch of Land. Install bio metric security system for people crossing the Border manned by Federal Passport Control Official and modern Custom House with scanning facilities. The Road leading the Thira Valley controlled by Mangal Bagh, may be permanently sealed to improve security of this route.

Major income source for Pakistan:

Pakistan Government and transport industry can make a huge income from the transit trade between South Asia and Europe/CIS. From NATO transit trade alone our trucking Industry makes some USD 5 bio per year. If the full blast of Asia- Europe trade pass through Pakistan, we can make may be USD 100 bio per year, for ever. Which can bring major prosperity, uplift in routes leading to Thorkham and Chaman. Therefore a robust business case can be developed to upgrade this vital route. This should include good quality Resting places and large Parking Areas, in route, as well as near the border. Ideally the current Border Post, should be moved one or two kilometers inside Afghanistan in the plains and open space. Current point, is surrounded by mountains and thus narrow and constrained.

Have mercy on people of the AREA:

The condition of people in this barren and dusty Pass has not improved over centuries. Girls are still fetching dirty water for drinking from far away, people are mostly living in mud houses, medical facilities except rudimentary clinics is missing, few government school cater to few student while rest go to Madarsas. Lawlessness reign, stolen vehicles are common means of transport, drug of all kinds are major trade, imported alcohol are available in Bars near Karkhana Bazar, use of NAWAR, a powerful intoxicant is prevalent among old and young, home sexuality is widely practiced. Few War Lords make lot of money and dominate the Pass with their Massive Compounds amidst very small houses of common men. Jamaat Islami which has good support base in the Pass does not allow progressive parties like ANP or PPP enter the Area. Thus ignorance is perpetuated without any hope of improvement.

In the interest of the Common Afridi and Shinwari tribesmen of the Khyber Agency, the Agencies should be abolished and Area converted to a District within KP.

The vast difference in standard of living between settled Areas of Peshawar and Khyber Agency can not be tolerated any more. The difference and the resentment against that is a major cause of violence in the Region. Britishers found it convenient to ignore FATA, as they calculated that they could not make money from these barren and less productive lands. However we as Pakistanis can not continue this injustice. We must act to correct this historical deprivation and embrace these poor people, in our main stream no matter what cost. West will be willing to help us in a big way as this will remove a major source of Lawlessness and violence in the World which has International reach.