PESHAWAR, June 4: Awami National Party chief Asfandyar Wali Khan on Saturday called for an ‘open border’ and free trade with Afghanistan to promote socio-economic ties between the two countries. Presenting his party’s policy statement on the Pakistan-Afghan relations at a press conference, he said the idea of ‘soft border’ was being pursued in several regions across the world.

The statement laid emphasis on the need for steps by the governments of Pakistan and Afghanistan to promote trade and business activities and propagated a policy of soft border to facilitate people of the two countries. He said Pakistan and Afghanistan should gradually remove visa restrictions to facilitate their citizens’ travel between the two countries.

He recalled that in the past people living in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas did not need travel documents to visit Afghanistan and those from the NWFP could enter the neighbouring country after being issued a ‘red pass’.

In reply to a question about the presence of the US forces in Afghanistan, Mr Wali said: “We believe that the US should vacate Afghanistan as soon as possible, keeping in view the situation and interference from its neighbours.