Pak-Afghan trade activities resume as Chaman border reopens

Published February 28, 2022
CHAMAN: Pakistani and Afghan nationals walk along a fenced corridor as they enter Pakistan through the Chaman-Spin Buldak border crossing point on Sunday.—AFP
CHAMAN: Pakistani and Afghan nationals walk along a fenced corridor as they enter Pakistan through the Chaman-Spin Buldak border crossing point on Sunday.—AFP

QUETTA: The Chaman-Spin Buldak border between Pakistan and Afghanistan, which was closed after clashes between the two countries’ forces began last week, was reopened on Sunday morning.

All hurdles have been removed from both sides of the Friendship Gate on the border.

The border was reopened after a delegation of ulema from Chaman headed by tribal elder Molvi Haji Faizullah Nourzai held negotiations with Kandahar Governor Yousef Wafa and other Taliban leaders.

Sources said that the ulema delegation also remained in contact with senior Pakistani officials during their talks with Afghan officials.

“Our negotiation remained fruitful and resulted in opening of the border,” Mufti Mohammad Qasim, spokesman for the Ulema delegation, said.

He said the delegation conveyed a message of goodwill from Pakistani authorities to the Kandahar governor and other Taliban leaders.

He said the people involved in trade from both sides were facing financial losses due to the closure of the bother.

According to Mufti Qasim, “both sides regretted the clashes which caused loss of lives from both sides”.

He said a flag meeting between border officials from both sides is expected in a couple of days to resolve the issue which caused the clashes. Direct talks between senior officials of the two countries would help in reducing tension in border areas on both sides, he added.

Mufti Qasim hoped the situation would improve in the coming days.

After opening of the border traffic was also restored which was suspended on Feb 24.

A large number of trucks carrying Afghan transit trade goods, import and export items, fresh fruits and vegetables crossed the border.

Hundreds of Pakistani and Afghan nationals, who were stranded on both sides of the border, also returned to their countries. They included women and children.

With the opening of the border, hundreds of daily wage labourers also reached the border and started loading and unloading goods from trucks and other vehicles in Chaman, Imran Khan Kakar, former vice president of the Pak-Afghan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry, told Dawn.

Published in Dawn, February 28th, 2022

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

An audit of polio funds at federal and provincial levels is sorely needed, with obstacles hindering eradication efforts targeted.
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...