LANDI KOTAL: The Frontier Corps officials said here on Monday that further relaxation was granted to Pakistanis stranded in Afghanistan to utilise their Computerised National Identity Cards (CNICs) till April 18 for their entry into Pakistan via Torkham border.

The local journalists were told during a briefing at Michni checkpost that the relaxation would apply to only those Pakistanis, who had been stuck in different cities of Afghanistan in connection with their occupations.

The officials said that entry to Afghanistan would only be allowed on possession of Pakistani passport as the CNIC and Rahdari card relaxation had been completely withdrawn on April 15.

They urged all Pakistanis, especially local transporters and traders, to immediately apply for their passports to avoid any inconvenience at Torkham for their cross-border movement.

The officials said that efforts were underway to develop Torkham border in accordance with international standards by providing all the required facilities to both Afghan and Pakistani nationals for their cross-border movement.

“It is the stated policy of the government that citizens of both the neighbouring countries travel in accordance with international rules and obligations,” said the officials. They added that same travel procedures were applied between two neighbouring countries throughout the world as it was aimed at saving the frequent travellers from any hindrance and inconvenience.

BAN: The political administration again imposed a ban on firing in the air and sale on items of fireworks.

Political Tehsildar Irshad Mohmand said on Monday that elders and influential persons of the area were called to his office to convey them the orders regarding the renewed ban.

He said that banners and posters inscribed with the orders regarding ban were displayed at prominent locations at Landi Kotal Bazaar for the local residents.

Mr Mohmand said that at least two persons were arrested on charges of selling items of fireworks.

He said that strict action would be taken against the violators of the ban.

It is pertinent to mention here that it is for the third time that local administration has imposed such a ban. It could not be, however, known as to when and why the administration lifted the previous ban.

Also, the administration failed on a number of occasions to take any action against the people, who resorted to firing in the air on festive occasions.

Published in Dawn, April 18th, 2017