Pakistan, Afghanistan allow overland travel

The Pakistani and Afghan authorities have agreed to open land route for travel between the two countries with a luxury bus service between Peshawar in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province and Jalalabad in Nangarhar province.

According to sources and documents, a copy of which is available with The Express Tribune, the decision was taken in a meeting of the Afghanistan International Coordination Cell, which aimed at resolving the issues between the two countries.

The sources said that the communications ministries of the two countries had given the go-ahead for the service, agreeing in principle that initially 15 to 20-seater buses would ply on the route.

According to the sources, both sides would finalise arrangements for the bus service in their respective areas.

In this regard, Pakistan would establish a bus terminal at Torkham border point and Afghanistan in Jalalabad.

“The decision to allow overland travel between the two countries has been taken in view of the difficulties in air travel,” a source privy to the developments told The Express Tribune. “Since the return of the Taliban government, air travel has become difficult.”

According to the documents, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) issued a notification for the establishment of an international bus service terminal in Torkham. In this regard, space has been allocated opposite the Basic Health Unit (BHU).

According to the notification, customs and immigration clearance of passengers and their luggage will be conducted at the Torkham bus terminal. A special checking area with modern equipment would also be constructed there.

On their part, the Afghan authorities would be setting up the bus terminal in Jalalabad. As per the agreement, Afghan authorities would be responsible for the security of bus service and passengers and their luggage in Afghanistan, the sources added.