The Pak-Afghan border at Torkham remained open for pedestrians from both sides on the second consecutive day on Wednesday; thousands of people who were stranded at the border before finally reached their destinations on the 20th day.
Torkham Political Tehsildar Shams-ul-Islam when contacted, said, “11,000 Afghan nationals have crossed over the border by 4pm on Wednesday.” However, he added that people were still coming for onward journey to their destinations in Afghanistan.
The Pak-Afghan border both at Torkham Khyber Agency and Chaman in Balochistan were temporarily opened by Pakistani authorities for two days in a bid to let the stranded people reach their destinations. On the first day, more than 20,000 Afghans stranded in different parts of Pakistan crossed the border using both the crossing points.
Only Afghans possessing valid Pakistani visas and other travelling documents have been allowed to proceed to their motherland. However, the Afghans who intend to visit/enter Pakistan through proper visa are not allowed. Similarly, Pakistani nationals who intend to enter Afghanistan are denied the entry into Afghanistan.
Thousands of Afghans, particularly women and children, who thronged the border to enter their motherland, have experienced worst hardships due to heavy rains on Wednesday. Secondly, the authorities concerned have made the procedure a bit too complicated. Vehicles carrying the Afghans were not allowed beyond Mechani checkpost and the people were compelled to walk towards the crossing point, situated on around three kilometres distance.
The official said that, on the first day, around 550 Pakistani nationals, who were stranded in Afghanistan due to the sealing of the border on February 16, arrived back, adding that these people were in possession of valid visas for Afghanistan. A large number of Pakistani nationals lacking passports were not allowed to enter the motherland. However, on the second day, authorities, after getting green signals from the high-ups, allowed them to enter the country upon showing national identity cards (NICs). The authorities said that, so far, 323 Pakistani nationals were given entry permission. But there are reports regarding scores of others who are still stranded on the Pak-Afghan border. The majority of them are tribesmen from Khyber and several other agencies, including Mohmand and Bajaur.
Shams-ul-Islam maintained that, officially, the Pak-Afghan border will remain open until 8pm, but they can extend that duration to facilitate the crossing. However, a decision in this respect could be taken in the light of the presence of Afghans arriving at the crossing point.
In the light of government’s decision of keeping the Pak-Afghan crossing points open only for two days, almost all Afghan nationals have disposed of their work in Peshawar and other main cities and towns throughout Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Many private hospitals in Peshawar were badly affected due to the closure of Pak-Afghan border. Similarly, a large number of Afghan and Pakistani students enrolled in different education institutions of both the neighbouring countries were also uncertain of their future.