K-P Lawmakers seek reopening of border, tourism spots

All crossing points along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border should be reopened for the public while to boost economic activities in the province, popular tourism spots should be opened as well.

This was demanded by lawmakers in separate resolution and call-to-attention notices (CAN) submitted in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Assembly on Tuesday.

Awami National Party (ANP) MPA Nisar Mohmand submitted a resolution in the provincial assembly secretariat which demanded that all closed trade points along the Durand Line including Nawa Pass in Bajaur, Angoor Adda in South Waziristan, Gorsal Harlachi in Kurram and another point in Chitral should be immediately reopened.

The provincial lawmaker from the Mohmand tribal district said that most people living in the merged tribal districts are dependent on trade with Afghanistan. But the closure of the border has destroyed the local economy, he said contended, adding that the crossing points should be opened with the strict novel coronavirus (Covid-19) standard operating procedures (SOPs) so that the local economy can be revived.

Besides boosting local economic activities, it will help improve diplomatic ties with Afghanistan, the resolution stated.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 16^th, 2020.