After 32 days: People voice relief at border’s reopening

Sources say Rahdari permit will be valid till April 30

LANDI KOTAL: The much-awaited reopening of the Torkham border on Tuesday came as a relief for both travellers and traders alike as more than 3,303 Afghan and Pakistan nationals crossed into Pakistan while over 5,000 loaded trucks entered Afghanistan.

The border was reopened after a gap of 32 days amid strict security measures.

On the directives of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, the two main entrances and trade routes to Afghanistan were reopened in the wee hours of Tuesday, while other border crossings into Afghanistan from the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) remained closed, security officials told The Express Tribune.



As soon as the Tokham border reopened, people from the two countries rushed to the gate in anticipation. A senior official of the political administration office said more than 100 trucks and containers laden with vehicles were lined up at the gate.

The transporters and locals welcomed the move of the prime minister to open the gate. Still more citizens and vehicles are waiting for their turn to enter into Afghanistan from Kurram, South Waziristan and other points.

Meanwhile, journalists from Khyber Agency were also barred from coverage early morning and some of them were stopped by the Frontier Constabulary near the Bagyari check post in Landi Kotal.



Border security personnel have made it clear to motorists that they need to carry all the necessary travel papers for crossing into Afghanistan. Some motorists, however, pointed out that they were stranded in Afghanistan despite carrying identity cards.

Official sources said that the Rahdari permit will be valid till April 30.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 22^nd, 2017.