LANDI KOTAL: Traders, transporters and restaurant owners at the Torkham border here have been facing problems, including frequent power breakdowns and drinking water shortage.

The sprawling business centre near the border has over 300 shops and offices of clearing agents along with nearly a dozen restaurants.

Shopkeepers and clearing agents told this correspondent on Wednesday that the area`s power transformer was damaged during crossfire between the border security forces of Pakistan and Afghanistan in June last year due to a row over construction of a gate at the Pakistan side and since then it had not been repaire d.`We have made a number of complaintstotheofñcialsatthelocalgridstation and political administration for early repair of the damaged transformer and broken wires, but to no avail,` said Haji Tawab, a clearing agent.

He said that they had to suffer during summer as the solar panels and UPS units installed in their business centres could not bear the load of air conditioners. He said that the repeated power suspensions and fluctuations had also damaged a number of electric appliances, mostly computer systems, which were usedforrunningtheirbusinessaffairs.

Jamshed Khan, a coal importer, complained about the shakyinternetconnections and faulty landline phones. He said that he along with his coworkers were in need of uninterrupted internet service to keep in contact with the suppliers in Afghanistan and potential buyers of coal in different cities of Pakistan. He said that nearly 10,000 local residents were attached to different occupations at the Torkham border.

The traders said that they were also facing water shortage though LandiKhana natural spring was located just two kilometers from the main border.

Businessmen and residents of the border area have long been demanding a direct pipeline from Landi Khana, but no steps could be taken so far by the authorities concerned at Torkham border.

Water scarcity has also hit hard the government buildings, including the offices of passport and immigration, and customs terminal. Faulty sanitation system is also a major worry for the area people. Haji Tawab demanded regular sprinkling of water at the unpaved container terminals as the vicinity was laden with mud.

Local transporters at the Khugakhel Qaumi Adda too are worried at the lack of facilities at the taxi stand. Mohammad Salim, a taxi driver, expressed his displeasure over the garbage littered all around the taxi stand and lamented the lack of arrangements for cleanliness in the area.

Sarfaraz Khan, another cab driver, said that there was no drinking water at the taxi stand for the passengers and transporters.