A defective scanner on the Pakistan side of Torkham border left products trucks stranded in Afghanistan this week, Pakistani media reported.
Pakistani authorities closed the border to vehicles being available in from Afghanistan after the scanning device used to track imports established technical issues.
Importers in Pakistan informed Dawn that both the Afghan and Pakistani authorities permitted just empty trucks stranded on the Afghan side to cross into Pakistan.
This comes after the border crossing was closed for a month due to disagreements and clashes between border forces.
The crossing just resumed late March.
According to border authorities, this is the second time that the scanner developed problems since the resuming of the crossing.
As a result exports from Afghanistan to Pakistan ground to a halt.
Exports consisted of coal, soapstone, fresh fruit and vegetables and dried fruit.
Frustrated traders have called for the scanning system to be replaced with a modern variation in order to resolve trade obstacles at the border.
Traders also voiced their disappointment over customs tariffs at the border.
They said the custom-mades terminal operator, National Logistic Cell, charges Rs8,000 for every truck that crosses, whether it is packed or empty.
The post Exports to Pakistan grind to a stop over malfunctioning scanner at Torkham first appeared on TINS News.