A Reuters file picture.
QUETTA / LANDI KOTAL: Round 1,000 folks crossed the Chaman border crossing with Afghanistan on Saturday after the federal government opened the nation’s western border level in Balochistan, in addition to at Torkham in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
The inside ministry issued a notification late on Friday, saying the round the clock opening of the Pakistan-Afghanistan border at Torkham and Chaman for six days every week for cargo visitors, and reserved Saturday for the pedestrian motion.
The border was closed on March 27, 2020, as a precautionary measure to include the unfold of Covid-19. Later it was opened for 3 days every week in April. The choice of opening of the border was taken within the assembly of NCOC (Nationwide Command and Operation Centre) on Friday, the notification mentioned.
Based on a notification, the border will stay open 24 hours at Torkham and for specified timing at Chaman for six days besides Saturday, which might be reserved for pedestrian motion. It mentioned that normal working procedures (SOPs) for air passengers can be utilized to pedestrians.
“Torkham border will remain open for 24 hours/six days a week (except Saturday) and an unlimited number of trucks will be allowed per day, while ensuring proper SOPs and guidelines for both Afghan Bilateral Trade and Afghan Transit Trade,” learn the notification.
“Chaman border will remain open for six days a week (except Saturday) for specified timings (as already notified) and an unlimited number of trucks will be allowed per day while ensuring proper SOPs and guidelines for both Afghan Bilateral Trade and Afghan Transit Trade,” it added.
“Saturdays will be reserved for the pedestrian move only as per procedure already in vogue. Standard Quarantine Protocols/SOPs (as applicable for air passengers) will be implemented for pedestrians as well,” the notification mentioned.
