LANDI KOTAL: Prime Minister Imran Khan postponed the visit to Torkham border at the last minute on Friday night.

The visit scheduled for today (Saturday) was meant to formally inaugurate the round-the-clock functioning of the Pak-Afghan border crossing.

It will now take place on Sept 18.

Officials told Dawn that the visit was postponed due to the premier’s hectic schedule in Islamabad. They said the inauguration ceremony had been cancelled for the third time since July.

The officials said elaborate security arrangements were made for the premier’s maiden visit to the area since his swearing-in as additional security personnel, including a 70-strong contingent of the provincial police, were deployed on the border.

They said the border crossing was closed to vehicles and pedestrians ahead of the premier’s visit, while the police had announced the closure of Landi Kotal Bazaar.

The officials said staff members of the customs and immigration departments and National Logistic Cell were told to ensure their presence on the border for the Saturday ceremony.

Meanwhile, provincial health minister Hisham Inamullah Khan visited health facilities at the border crossing on Friday and said Pakistan wanted to promote health tourism with Afghanistan.

He said Prime Minister Imran Khan would inaugurate a filter point at the Torkham health facility.

Published in Dawn, September 14th, 2019