Pak-Afghan border crossings to open temporarily: FO

Naveed Siddiqui Published March 6, 2017

Pakistan will temporary open border crossings at Torkham and Chaman for two days to allow stranded Afghan nationals to return to their country, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said on Monday.

A MoFA press release said the government decided to open the border crossings on Tuesday and Wednesday, March 7 and 8, "in order to provide an opportunity to those nationals of Afghanistan who had come to Pakistan on valid visas and wish to return to their country."

Crossing points will also allow Pakistanis visiting Afghanistan on valid visas to return to the country, the Foreign Office said.

"All concerned at the two crossing points have also been informed, the FO statement added.

Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz also conveyed the decision to the Afghan Ambassador to Pakistan Omar Zakhilwal by telephone.

Zakhilwal, in a Facebook post in his native language, confirmed that the border crossings were to be temporarily opened for two days, but added that Pakistan and Afghanistan have not yet reached an agreement on permanently reopening the border crossings.

With additional reporting from Ali Akbar.

Pakistan

Five soldiers slain in militant attack along Pak-Afghan border

Afghanistan to airlift citizens if border is not reopened within two days: Ambassador

Closure of Pak-Afghan border building into humanitarian crisis: Imran

flipflop

Mar 06, 2017 11:49pm

People from Afghanistan or Pakistan who wish to travel to either countries must obtain valid visas and documentation. Both countries must ensure that borders are secured and it is properly managed. System must be put in place where every person crossing the border must have a valid ID card and their information can be accessed easily throughout the country by the security institutions. This will help weed out terrorists and criminals alike. Afghanistan must strengthen their border management and clean the cities of terrorists situated near the borders. Afghanistan can seek help from India on this if they don't like Pakistan. If Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan work together on this I am sure the region will be much secured.

Recommend 0

hopeful

Mar 07, 2017 12:04am

Send them all back. They have been of no benefit to Pakistan.

Recommend 0

Syed F. Hussaini

Mar 07, 2017 12:45am

Many a great wars were fought for trade routes.

Recommend 0

Rizwan

Mar 07, 2017 01:20am

That's a good and timely decision by Pakistan. All stranded people one either side should be allowed to move under proper surveillance and check. All stranded containers on either side should also be allowed.

Recommend 0

Bond

Mar 07, 2017 01:48am

Glad Pskistsn listened to the demand from Afggan government and are opening the border.

Recommend 0

The_Truth

Mar 07, 2017 01:51am

Good. Let them pass and then close it for unlimited time. Enough is enough.

Recommend 0

abx

Mar 07, 2017 02:44am

let them leave the country and seal the border again. we are sick and tired of dealing with this nonsense. Pakistan must secure its border. it will also secure Afghanistan, since they are always complaining that people are coming to their land from Pakistan. Peace for Pakistan & Afghanistan.

Recommend 0

Sher khan

Mar 07, 2017 02:57am

This problem will stay, now we have much differences, Afghanistan is not capable to even independently think without Indians interference, unable to differentiate between right and wrong,

Recommend 0

Neutral

Mar 07, 2017 07:29am

Closing border crossings are just an eyewash. Militants are not going to cross through heavily guarded border crossings with guns in their hands. Stop fooling the citizens.

Recommend 0

Subhash bose

Mar 07, 2017 10:41am

Macmohan line is an artificial line. You can not divide people.

Recommend 0

Naeem Ahmed Sahito

Mar 07, 2017 01:55pm

@Subhash bose It's Durand Line.

Recommend 0