Peshawar: The federal government recently announced that it had reopened the country’s Torkham and Chaman border posts (with Afghanistan) for trade for six days a week until further notice, according to a Ministry of Interior notification. Previously, in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic situation, the authorities had closed these border entrances on March 27. Later, they decided to reopen them in April for three days a week.
Now, both these border posts will be open for 24 hours for six days a week for trade. The authorities will allow only pedestrian traffic on Saturdays. Reportedly, these pedestrians will have to follow a strict set of standard operating procedures (SOPs). These SOPs will be in line with the ones set out for airline passengers.
During the six days when the borders will be open, the authorities will allow trucks to pass through at all hours. However, whether they are Afghan bilateral trade or transit trade, they will have to follow SOPs and guidelines. The government made this decision after the Afghan Embassy submitted a request for reopening the border, clearing stranded trucks on either side, and facilitating traders in other ways. The government accepted this request in order to cement trade ties with Afghanistan and facilitate cross-border cooperation.
