Islamabad, Jan 15, IRNA ,Afghanistan on Tuesday closed its border with Pakistan and banned the entry of goods trucks, local media reported.
The step is considered a reaction to Pakistan’s decision to stop export of wheat flour as the country is facing acute shortage of flour, local TV channels reported.
President Pervez Musharraf Monday blamed hoarders and smugglers for the problem and said that wheat flour is being smuggled to Afghanistan, Central Asia and even Russia.
Last week, the authorities deployed paramilitary troops at flour mills across the country to ensure wheat supplies to the people.
The Afghan authorities did not allow loaded trucks with other goods to cross into Afghanistan through Chaman border point, officials said.
Afghanistan mainly depends on wheat from Pakistan and the wheat is supplied through government-to-government and also through WFP.
Opposition parties in Pakistan are staging rallies against shortages and blaming the government of allowing flour exports despite the country’s own requirements.
The government has also established a special federal committee to review the wheat flour situation and to ensure that store owners did not sell more than allowed by the government.
The Utility Stores have been selling flour at the official rate of 18 rupees ($0.30) per kg but it is sold in market around 30 rupees per kilogram.