CM finalises preparations for 24-hour Torkham crossing

Prime Minister Imran Khan expected to inaugurate the section

PESHAWAR: CM Mahmood Khan on Wednesday reviewed and finalised arrangements for the formal opening of a section of the Torkham border crossing which will operate around the clock. Prime Minister Imran Khan is expected to inaugurate the section soon.

In this regard, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Chief Minister Mahmood and Advisor to the Prime Minister Arbab Shehzad visited the Pakistan- Afghanistan border facility at Torkham where they evaluated the arrangements made.

Mahmood said that they have spent substantial resources while efforts have been made to keep the border post operational around the clock. He added that this will prove to be a landmark step towards promoting trade and commerce in the entire region in general and between the brotherly nations of Pakistan and Afghanistan in particular.

During his visit, the CM was briefed on the arrangements made at the border post. In this regard, he was told that some 13,000 people and 1,000 cargo vehicles travel across the border every day.

He was told that the requisite number of personnel of key services including immigration officials of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Customs and all other related staff have been beefed up.

Further, the number of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras at the border has been increased from 67 to 96 for vigilance purpose. To facilitate border crossings at night, lighting arrangements have also been improved. Furthermore, the procurement of generators is also underway for which purchasing parties have already been engaged.

Moreover, the number of counters on both sides have also been increased from 16 to 24.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 1^st, 2019.