Pak-Afghan border opens for round the clock trade

PESHAWAR: The government has announced the opening of the Pak-Afghan border at Torkhem and Chaman posts round the clock for six days per week two months after the points were closed in a bid to control the spread of coronavirus.

Khyber Deputy Commissioner Mehmood Aslam Wazir informed that the border has been reopened on orders of the federal government. He said the border will be open for transit five days a week and one day for pedestrians.

The deputy commissioner added that with the reopening of the border, Pakistanis stranded in Afghanistan will be able to return home, while the border has also been opened for the citizens going to Afghanistan from Pakistan.

On Friday, the government has announced the opening of the Pak-Afghan border at Torkhem and Chaman posts round the clock for six days per week.

According to a notification issued by the Ministry of Interior, both the borders will remain open 24/7 for six days except Saturday which will be reserved for the pedestrian move only as per procedure already in vogue.

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), as applicable for air passengers, will be implemented for pedestrians as well, adds the notification.

During six days when the border will be open, the unlimited number of trucks will be permitted to cross per day while ensuring proper SOPs and guidelines for both Afghan Bilateral Trade and Afghan Transit Trade.