Pakistan to introduce ‘single-document regime’ for Afghan travelers

Govt is all set to get rid of British era system that permits people of Afghanistan, Pakistan to travel without visa

ISLAMABAD:

The federal government is all set to get rid of the British era system that permits people of Afghanistan and Pakistan to travel without visa in a yet another move aimed at regulating the movement of people and goods amid tensions between the two neighbours.

A senior official familiar with the development told The Express Tribune on Monday that the government had decided to implement a “single-document regime” on all international border crossings with Afghanistan.

At present, Afghans can travel to Pakistan without visa at certain border crossings using “Tazkirah”, a special permit used for decades under the British era easement rights. The move was originally aimed at facilitating dividing families and tribes on both sides when Britain demarcated the border known as Durand Line.

The facility, however, was misused as people often travel beyond the permitted areas under those easement rights.

The two countries have been negotiating for last few years to do away with the old system and introduce one document regime. The single document policy is already in place at Torkham border crossing. People from both sides with valid visas can use the main border crossing at Torkham.

Also read: Pakistan to evict 1.1m illegal Afghan refugees

However, thousands still use Tazkirah—both manual and e-document—to travel at the Chaman border crossing. Thousands daily use the border crossing to shuttle between the two countries on special permits.

Pakistanis living close the border areas too travel across the border on the same documents. Many Pakistanis have their businesses across the border. They travel daily to the neighbouring country and return in the evening.

However, Pakistani authorities believe that Afghans misuse the policy as often people who travel on Tazkirah roam around in other parts of the country.

The latest move came as Pakistan decided to evict Afghan residing in Pakistan illegally. The federal cabinet for this purpose already approved a new policy.

Under the new policy, all Afghans living in Pakistan illegally would be deported. According to government estimates, as many as 1.1 million Afghans have been identified who have been residing in Pakistan illegally. They neither have refugee status nor any other document.

One official said there was nothing new in the policy neither it was aimed at Afghans. The government, simply, has decided to implement the law, the official said. “Which country allows people to live illegally,” the official asked, adding those with valid documents need not to worry.

All these measures, however, are seen in the context of ongoing tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Pakistan is upset over the repeated cross border terrorist attacks by the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP). Islamabad is frustrated over the lack of action by the Afghan Taliban against the TTP.