Cross-border trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan was back to normal Wednesday, officials in both countries said, after Islamabad extended suspension of a new visa rule.
Commercial traffic grounded to a halt Tuesday when Pakistan began requiring the crew of commercial vehicles to have passports and visas to enter, and Afghanistan responded by refusing to allow any trucks to pass.
“Yesterday, when Pakistan enforced its new rules, the Afghan side responded by suspending trade in protest,” a Pakistan customs official told AFP Wednesday.
“Last night, officials from the Ministry of Commerce held a meeting with Afghan officials, reaching an agreement to grant another two-week extension for Afghan drivers.”
The official said Pakistan had already twice deferred implementing the new rule.
The media office of the governor of Nangarhar province in Afghanistan confirmed that cross-border trade had resumed.
“Afghan and Pakistani officials held talks… and it was assured that this problem will be solved permanently,” it said in a post on X.
