Staff Reporter
Peshawar
The government has announced opening of Pak-Afghan border at Torkham and Chaman posts round the clock – six days per week, reads a notification issued by Ministry of Interior, issued on late Friday night.
The border was closed on March 27, 2020 as a precautionary measure to contain spread of COVID-19 virus. Later it was opened for three days a week in April. The decision about opening of border was taken in the meeting of NCOC (National Command and Operation Center), said the notification.
Both the borders will remain open 24 hours for six days except from Saturday which will be reserved for pedestrian move only as per procedure already in vogue. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), as applicable for air passengers, would be implemented for pedestrians as well, the notification added.
During six days when the border will be open, unlimited number of trucks will be allowed to cross per day while ensuring proper SOPs and guidelines for both Afghan Bilateral Trade and Afghan Transit Trade. The decision has been hailed by business community terming it as a milestone in promoting trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Provincial candidate from PK 105, and Convener FPCCI for Afghanistan and Central Asian Countries Trade Committee Shahid Khan Shinwari when contacted told APP that they worked day and night for the opening of the border since he was appointed FPCCI Convener for Afghanistan and Central Asian Trade.
He also thanked to Afghan businessmen delegations, officials of the Afghanistan Border Force who held meeting recently at Torkham border with delegation from Pakistan including businessmen, people from the trade and officials of the Border Security Force from both sides and discussed ways and means to make ensure enhancement of bilateral trade ties between two brotherly and neighboring countries Pakistan and Afghanistan.
