KABUL - Pakistan has slapped a ban on flour exports to Afghanistan, preventing 200 trucks of Afghan businessmen at Torkham dry port, officials said on Sunday.
The ban was imposed four days back, the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI) chief for the eastern zone told Pajhwok Afghan News.
Eng. Muhammad Qasim Yousafi said 200 trucks carrying 5,000 tons of flour had been stopped from crossing the border by the Pakistan government.

He quoted border guards as saying that the action was based on expiry of a one-year agreement on flour exports, he said, urging the government to address the issue through talks.

Afghan traders were required to pay 10,000 Pakistani rupees on a daily basis in custom duty and vehicle fare on the Pakistani side of border, he complained.

Haji Jan Agha, head of the Flour Traders' Association, said a 50-kilogram flour sack's price had jumped to 2,300 rupees, showing an increase of Rs100 as a result of the ban.

Hoping the issue would be resolved soon, he asked the authorities to renew the agreement with Pakistan. There has been a Rs500 hike in the price of 50-kg flour bag since the holy month of Ramadan.