LANDIKOTAL: Scores of local traders and transporters held a protest demonstration here on Saturday against the prolonged closure of Torkham border, saying it had been resulting in big financial losses for them.

Holding placards and banners inscribed with slogans in support of their demand for opening of the border, the protesters took out a procession from the Hospital Chowk and reached Bacha Khan Chowk in L andi Kotal Bazaar.

Speaking on this occasion, Torkham Customs ClearingAgentsAssociation president Hayatullah Shinwari decried the unilateral decision of closure of all borders with Afghanistan, especially the Torkham crossing, saying it had rendered thousands of local residents unemployed.

He said that hundreds of local clearing agents solely relied on bilateral trade with Afghanistan via Torkham border and they had incurred financial losses since the closure of border.

Khyber Transport Union president Azeemullah Shinwari said that thousands of trucks and containers loaded with import and export items were still stranded on both sides of the border, resulting in huge losses for the transporters.

Pakistan Peoples Party Khyber Agency president Hazrat Wali termed the continuous closure of the border a financial murder of the localtradersandtransporters and said that trade activities had almost came to a standstillin thelocal markets.

Mirajuddin, a representative of local traders, criticised the Fata parliamentarians for their silence on the closure of border with Afghanistan.

He alleged that Fata parliamentarians had turned a blind eye to the vital economic issues of people of the tribal areas and they were yet to issue a statement in support of their demand for opening the border.

The speakers on this occasion called for PakAfghan dialogue and urged the federal government to open the border as soon as possible. Correspondent