QUETTA: A large number of people were stranded and trucks lined up on both sides of the Pak-Afghan border due to its closure for a fifth consecutive day on Thursday.

The Chaman border has been shut since Sunday after an armed man from the Afghan side opened fire on Pakistani security personnel, resulting in the martyrdom of one soldier and leaving two others wounded.

Official sources said no headway was made in the efforts by authorities on both sides as Pakistan has told Afghan officials that until the handing over of the accused involved in the killing, the border would not be opened.

Sources said Afghan Taliban officials, who had visited the border for condolence with Pakistani officials, also held talks to reopen the border. However, according to reports, the Afghan side was told that the decision to reopen the border will be taken directly by Kabul and Islamabad.

Meanwhile, hundreds of trucks carrying Afghan transit goods and other items have lined up at both sides of the border.

Published in Dawn, November 18th, 2022