Torkham border: No cross-border travel without legal documents

Decision taken by Pakistan, Afghanistan after negotiations to restrict illegal movement.

LANDI KOTAL: Pakistan and Afghan authorities said on Tuesday that if tribesmen living within a 10 kilometre radius on both sides of Torkham do not have necessary travel documents by January 10 they will not be allowed to cross the border.

An official of the Torkham political administration, Mairaj Khan, said the decision was taken by both countries after negotiations to restrict illegal movement of residents near the border.

The official added that Shinwari tribe, Khuga Khel, Pero Khel and Ash Khel were informed by both authorities that they should make legal travel documents.

Arshid Khan an official of the political administration on duty at Michini check post, Khyber Agency said that more than 150 Afghan illegal immigrants were arrested within six hours of border checking. He added that some immigrants had been held in the nearby mountains by Khasadar personnel when they were trying to avoid security clearance.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 3^rd, 2013.