No more coolies - trucks to be allowed inside borders from today
Pakistan and India are set to discontinue six decades old coolie system and would allow cross-border movement of trucks up to the designated points at Wagah and Attari borders from today.
According to the agreed arrangement between the two countries, Pakistan would allow Indian trucks to cross 200 meters inside the Wagah customs area and India would allow Pakistani trucks to come 400 meters inside at Attari.
A standing committee comprising Pakistani and Indian Customs officials would also be established to resolve the issues, which need attention of both sides. This committee would meet after two-month intervals at Wagah and Attari borders for mutual consultation.
This initiative of the both governments would not only reduce the cost of bilateral trade between the countries but would also help save time in transportation of goods between the two countries.
Both sides would establish a telephonic link to consult each other in maters that require immediate resolution for smooth flow of trade on a day-to-day basis between the two countries.
In the first stage, trucks up to ten-wheelers would be allowed to cross over to the other side. Both the sides have also agreed to obviate the need for passports, visas and international driving licence; a system of computerised single entry permits would be introduced. These permits, which would be issued in triplicate by the respective customs authorities, would contain a picture ID of the driver, his name, address, licence number and details of the vehicle.
The drivers of these trucks would wear bright yellow jackets/vests with "Driver-Pakistan" inscribed on the back of the Pakistani drivers and "Driver-India" inscribed on the back of the Indian drivers. As per statement, the operation of trucks shall take place between 0700-1400 hours PST and 0730-1430 hours IST.
In case of force majeure, the customs authorities of the two sides at Wagah/Attari border shall establish hotline contact to workout the modalities for further action. Officials from both the countries also agreed that the customs authorities of the two sides would also consult each other to resolve local issues as and when required.
Pakistan and Indian customs authorities agreed that the two sides shall open a dedicated cargo gate towards South-East of the existing Pakistan customs house and South-West of the existing Indian customs house at the Wagah/Attari border.
A fenced path shall connect the two customs houses through this gate and upon completion of this dedicated cargo gate, all cargo traffic shall pass through it.
We got this information from Pakistan Customs.