There’s still life at the Chaman border

Published August 19, 2014
Locals enjoy dog-fighting in a ground near Chaman border. Dog fighting is illegal in Pakistan but remains a popular recreation for the locals.
Locals enjoy dog-fighting in a ground near Chaman border. Dog fighting is illegal in Pakistan but remains a popular recreation for the locals.
Chaman tribesmen perform their traditional dance.
Chaman tribesmen perform their traditional dance.
Chaman’s main bazaar is a hub of activity.
Chaman’s main bazaar is a hub of activity.
An elderly man coming from Afghanistan goes through routine border security check by an officer.
An elderly man coming from Afghanistan goes through routine border security check by an officer.
Local authorities destroy poppy cultivation.
Local authorities destroy poppy cultivation.
Children play football in an empty land near Chaman border. Football has been popular in this region since 1940. Kaleemullah, who is the captain of the Pakistan team and one of the top strikers in the country, also belongs to Chaman.
Children play football in an empty land near Chaman border. Football has been popular in this region since 1940. Kaleemullah, who is the captain of the Pakistan team and one of the top strikers in the country, also belongs to Chaman.
Residents sit around a tea stall in a bazaar.
Residents sit around a tea stall in a bazaar.
The Friendship gate on Pak-Afghan border, which has witnessed a number of suicide blasts in the past, now looks serene with the decorations on special occasions.
The Friendship gate on Pak-Afghan border, which has witnessed a number of suicide blasts in the past, now looks serene with the decorations on special occasions.
Students at a seminary give exams.
Students at a seminary give exams.
Spectators press closer to see the red-legged partridge fight.
Spectators press closer to see the red-legged partridge fight.
An anti-polio medic vaccinates a child of an Afghan family at  Chaman border linking it with Afghanistan. The cases of polio victims have risen in the region recently and the vaccination drives still continue.
An anti-polio medic vaccinates a child of an Afghan family at Chaman border linking it with Afghanistan. The cases of polio victims have risen in the region recently and the vaccination drives still continue.
A railway station in Chaman connects it to Kandahar, Afghanistan.
A railway station in Chaman connects it to Kandahar, Afghanistan.

Chaman, which literally translates to 'garden', is known for its important border which links it to Afghanistan and has been used by the NATO forces to send supplies in. But there are glimpses of normal life on this terror-struck region of Balochistan.

Opinion

Editorial

Kurram atrocity
Updated 22 Nov, 2024

Kurram atrocity

It would be a monumental mistake for the state to continue ignoring the violence in Kurram.
Persistent grip
22 Nov, 2024

Persistent grip

PAKISTAN has now registered 50 polio cases this year. We all saw it coming and yet there was nothing we could do to...
Green transport
22 Nov, 2024

Green transport

THE government has taken a commendable step by announcing a New Energy Vehicle policy aiming to ensure that by 2030,...
Military option
Updated 21 Nov, 2024

Military option

While restoring peace is essential, addressing Balochistan’s socioeconomic deprivation is equally important.
HIV/AIDS disaster
21 Nov, 2024

HIV/AIDS disaster

A TORTUROUS sense of déjà vu is attached to the latest health fiasco at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital. The largest...
Dubious pardon
21 Nov, 2024

Dubious pardon

IT is disturbing how a crime as grave as custodial death has culminated in an out-of-court ‘settlement’. The...