KHYBER: Reacting to the plight of the stranded Afghans at the Torkham border, Pakistan on Monday granted them a one-time relaxation to go back to their country on Tazkira, their national identity card, to celebrate Eidul Fitr with their families.

Officials at the border crossing said the Tazkira holders could avail the relaxation till April 29. “No one will be allowed to either go back to Afghanistan or come to Pakistan on Tazkira under the freshly-introduced Individual Voluntary Agreement Policy,” they insisted and added only visa holders would now be allowed to move across the border.

The stranded Afghans in hundreds flocked to the border crossing soon after Pakistani authorities made the announcement of granting them temporary permission to cross over the border.

Meanwhile, customs staff seized illegal arms and ammunition from a coal-laden truck coming from Afghanistan at the Torkham border.

Officials said it was for the third consecutive day that arms and ammunition were recovered from the trucks bringing import items from Afghanistan. The seized weapons included five American and one Turkish pistols and thousands of rounds. Driver of the vehicle was arrested.

Also in the day, the police arrested 21 suspects and recovered arms, ammunition and narcotics from them during an intelligence-based search and strike operation in different localities of Bara.

Published in Dawn, April 26th, 2022