Country's security agencies have reportedly started detaining at Quetta DAP fertiliser destined for Afghanistan, following reports of its usage in production of explosive materials; it was learnt. According to sources, security agencies were of the view that black urea could not be allowed for export due to its possible use in explosive material.

Therefore, the security agencies have reportedly started detaining Afghan Transit containers loaded with DAP fertiliser at Quetta. Sources however said the Directorate of Transit Trade, Quetta expressed reservations against the detention of DAP fertiliser containers destined for Afghanistan by security agencies at Quetta. Replying to a question, sources said the issue came on surface when a tracker company generated alerts after the stoppage of cargo movement at Quetta to the truck drivers informed that tracker company that containers/trucks of said item were being detained by the security agencies.

In a letter sent to concerned security headquarters, the Directorate stated that the said cargo was transported to Afghanistan after completion of all legal formalities in respect of these transit shipments were completed at Karachi.

The letter further said that the movement of subject cargo was through bonded carriers and there was no legal ban on transit of DAP fertiliser from Karachi port to Afghanistan. In addition, this item is not included in the negative list of items issued by the ministry of commerce vide SRO 151 (I)/2004 for transit to Afghanistan. Therefore, the Directorate has requested the security agencies to release the subject sealed containers/trucks without further delay. However, the information regarding the release of any container loaded with DAP fertiliser was not received till filing of this report.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2017