PESHAWAR: Prime Minister Imran Khan will inaugurate round the clock opening of the Torkham border crossing on September 7 (Saturday).

Sources told Dawn that the prime minister will travel to Torkham to inaugurate the round the clock custom clearance at that major crossing point.

They said that 24-hour opening of the border was likely to boost trade ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

It would also provide job opportunities to locals as well as lead to economic development of the region, they added.

Earlier on Monday, Pakistan had for the first time opened Torkham border with Afghanistan round the clock on a trial basis.

Customs and immigration departments deputed their additional staff to handle the night or second shift operations, as was desired and directed by the federal and provincial governments.

The border security guards and National Logistic Cell staff turned on the newly installed additional lights after the sunset that illuminated the entire compound at the border zero crossing.

Published in Dawn, September 6th, 2019