PESHAWAR: The Torkham border crossing, a vital gateway between Pakistan and Afghanistan, stay closed exacerbating tensions over visa restrictions imposed by Pakistan on Afghan cargo vehicle drivers.
The closure stems from a measure implemented by Pakistan, making visas mandatory for drivers of commercial vehicles entering the country from Afghanistan. The move aims to enhance security, curb smuggling, and promote legal bilateral trade.
The closure has resulted in a significant backlog of cargo vehicles on both sides of the border, while Pakistan faces a daily revenue loss averaging Rs50 million. Despite a flag meeting held between Pakistani and Afghan officials to discuss the visa restrictions, the talks remained inconclusive, prolonging the trade disruptions.
Pakistan introduced the visa requirement for Afghan cargo vehicle drivers on November 1, 2023, providing the Afghan government with a two-and-a-half-month window to comply. However, Afghan authorities allegedly displayed a lack of seriousness in implementing the policy, as drivers failed to carry the required travel documents. The visa policy was enforced four days ago, leading to the denial of entry for drivers without visas.
Traders, involved in the import and export of perishable goods like fresh fruits and vegetables, expressed substantial losses due to the border closure. Over 100 vehicles carrying perishable commodities faced losses amounting to tens of millions of rupees.
Customs officials estimated that bilateral trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan generates an average daily revenue of Rs50 million. Torkham Transport Union President Haji Azimullah highlighted the ripple effects of the closure, impacting the vehicles, the earnings of laborers, and the overall economic landscape. He emphasized that the closure not only affected the vehicles but also deprived laborers of their wages during this period.
During the flag meeting at the Torkham Frontier Corps (FC) conference hall, Pakistani security officials reiterated their commitment to the federal government’s decision, emphasizing the necessity of enforcing visa requirements to prevent smuggling and promote legal trade. They expressed concerns about the lack of seriousness on the part of Afghan authorities in providing data on their drivers and ensuring compliance with travel document regulations.
In response, Afghan authorities asserted that obtaining Pakistani visas for Afghan drivers was challenging. The ongoing dispute underscores the challenges in maintaining smooth cross-border trade, with both sides holding firm on their respective positions.
