Chaman border opened briefly

Published July 16, 2021
Government officials in Chaman town confirmed the opening of the border. — Reuters/File
Government officials in Chaman town confirmed the opening of the border. — Reuters/File

QUETTA: After gaining consent from Afghan Taliban, Pakistan opened the border crossing in Chaman on Thursday for three hours to allow citizens of both countries, who had been stuck on both sides of the border due to its closure by Pakistan after Taliban captured Wesh and other areas, to return to their countries.

Government officials in Chaman town confirmed the opening of the border saying the decision was taken on humanitarian grounds as hundreds of people, including women, children and patients, had been stranded on both sides of the border.

“Around 800 Afghans, including patients, crossed into Afghanistan through Friendship Gate, while some 160 Pakistanis, who were stranded in Wesh, were allowed to enter Pakistani territory,” a senior official of local administration told Dawn, adding that the border remained open for three hours only for pedestrians.

It has not yet been decided whether the border would be opened on Friday, the border authorities said.

Meanwhile, Taliban fighters have consolidated their positions in Wesh and other areas of Spin Boldak district of Afghanistan after taking control of all important check-posts around the captured towns along Pak-Afghan border, according to reports reaching here.

Offices of Afghan government have also been taken over by the Taliban forces. “We can see armed Taliban sitting at Friendship Gate on Afghan side while hoisting the Taliban flag,” an official of Levies Force said when reached on phone.

He said the Taliban had removed the national flag of Afghanistan from the Friendship Gate and official buildings in Wesh town.

Published in Dawn, July 16th, 2021

Opinion

Editorial

Beyond the surplus
Updated 20 Jul, 2025

Beyond the surplus

Long-term solution to our recurring balance-of-payments crises lies in resolving the structural gaps.
Dire straits
20 Jul, 2025

Dire straits

THE state has a major problem on its hands. The people of KP are repeatedly making it clear that they have no ...
Attack mindset
20 Jul, 2025

Attack mindset

HAVING begun Mike Hesson’s era as head coach with a convincing home Twenty20 series victory against Bangladesh,...
Rain havoc
Updated 19 Jul, 2025

Rain havoc

Thursday’s events must be seen not as an isolated disaster, but as a warning of what lies ahead.
Shattered Strip
19 Jul, 2025

Shattered Strip

THE Gaza siege has now crossed 650 days and the situation continues to take one ugly turn after another. True, even...
Battling drugs
19 Jul, 2025

Battling drugs

PAKISTAN’s war on drug trafficking has been ongoing for several years. But the country remains awash in the ...