QUETTA: After nine months of protests against strict travel regulations on the Pak-Afghan border and several rounds of talks, locals in Chaman and government officials have reached an agreement on all but one point — the visa regime.

Following successful talks over the weekend, the border crossing was reopened with some relaxation in travel restrictions.

However, officials have refused to roll back the ‘one-document regime’ imposed in October last year, under which entry into Pakistan was only allowed on a visa and passport.

Earlier, the gateway had been liberally used by locals to travel between the two countries upon showing Pakistan’s National Identity Card and Afghanistan’s tazkira.

Chaman’s All Parties Traders Alliance, a local group of businessmen and political leaders, staged protests against the decision and demanded its withdrawal. The border had been shut since then with commercial activities, including the Afghan transit trade, badly affected.

On Sunday, government officials and protesters’ representatives held negotiations, and an agreement was reached to open the border on Monday.

Officials have claimed that most of the “legitimate demands” of protesters have been accepted but reiterated that the one-document regime will stay in place.

“Border crossing will be allowed from both sides only on passport and valid visa,” a senior official said, adding that it was decided in the agreement that the government would help travellers get their passports.

All required facilities would be provided to them, the official added.

Meanwhile, border officials have said that only those traders and daily wagers who have registered with the authorities in Chaman could travel to Spin­buldak on the Afghan side upon showing their Pakistani ID card.

Meanwhile, Afghan border authorities expressed resentment over the agreement, saying that they were not taken into confidence over talks for reopening the border.

Published in Dawn, July 24th, 2024