QUETTA: In an unannounced move, the Taliban regime on Tuesday closed the Pak-Afghan border at Chaman, suspending Afghan transit and regular trade between the two countries.

Pakistani border officials confirming the closure of the border said: “Afghan side had not started daily activities at the other side of the Friendship gate today.”

“Our side of the border is open but the Afghan side was blocked by putting cement blocks at the crossing point,” the officials said, adding that there was no movement at the border after the closure by the Afghan side.

With the closure of Chaman border, import of fresh fruits and vegetables also stopped from Kandahar and other areas of Afghanistan.

Taliban officials reportedly said that the border would remain closed until Pakistani border authorities ‘changed their behaviour’ with the Afghans crossing the border. However, Pakistani border authorities said Taliban officials had not officially informed them about the reason for closing the border at Chaman.

Published in Dawn, October 6th, 2021