QUETTA: Pakistan and Afghanistan on Saturday opened their border near Chaman allowing thousands of their nationals, who were stranded on both sides of the border, to cross into their home countries.

Border authorities said that Afghan and Pakistan nationals crossed into their countries from two points at the Chaman border. As many as 3,145 Afghan nationals, including women and children, entered their country through the Friendship Gate and 3,000 others through Mazai corridor, another crossing point between the two countries.

They said 4,564 Pakistanis came through Friendship Gate while 1,000 others crossed into their country from Mazai corridor. “Total 11,609 people along with their families crossed into Pakistan and Afghanistan after showing their identity cards as the border was opened on Saturday for pedestrians,” Zakaullah Durrani, an official in Chaman told Dawn.

He said the border authorities allowed 11 trucks carrying fresh fruits and vegetables to enter Pakistan.

However, trucks carrying Afghan transit trade goods were not allowed to enter Afghan town Vesh Mandi on Saturday.

Published in Dawn, August 17th, 2020