Torkham / Islamabad:
The key border crossing between Pakistan and Afghanistan in Torkham was reopened Wednesday after being closed for 26 days due to a dispute on the construction of a controversial control point by Kabul.
The movement of freight vehicles through the commercial corridor has resumed, with operations starting in full swing at 4 p.m., confirmed the sources.
However, the pedestrian movement will remain suspended for at least two to three days more due to the damage suffered by the immigration system during the recent cross -border dismissal by the Afghan forces.
The border was reopened following a series of jirgas involving ancient tribals, religious scholars and traders on both sides. Familiar sources with negotiations said that the Afghan Taliban had finally conceded at the request of Pakistan to stop work on the disputed control point.
A flag meeting between officials of the two countries took place on Wednesday before the reopening of the vital commercial road.
Official sources have said that customs staff were invited to present themselves to functions on Wednesday morning.
In addition, repairs on the FIA ​​container scanner – used for the release of pedestrians – have started. Once the scanner is operational, pedestrian movements through the border will also resume.
The authorities have decided to restrict the trips of pedestrians until the immigration system is fully repaired. For the moment, only Afghan patients requiring urgent medical assistance will be allowed to enter Pakistan, have sources of safety.
With the reopening of the commercial road, bilateral trade has resumed and Pakistani freight trucks carrying goods began to enter Afghanistan.
Likewise, the Afghan loading trucks loaded with imported goods began to cross Pakistan.
Safety and government staff have been deployed at the crossing to ensure smooth operations. The Torkham commercial route is a crucial link for bilateral trade, facilitating the movement of around 1,500 loading trucks per day.
According to customs sources, trade via Torkham contributes an average of $ 3 million per day to the national treasury in Pakistan. Meanwhile, the daily total volume of exchanges between the two countries through this road is estimated at around 1.5 billion dollars.
It should be noted that the former premises, the religious scholars and the members of the Chamber of Commerce, as well as an Afghan delegation, held two official meetings during this period and proposed measures to strengthen confidence to reopen the border.
Malik Tajuddin and Shah Khalid Shinwari, who were part of the Pakistani delegation, said that Afghan officials were invited to implement a cease-fire to strengthen confidence.
In addition, they were asked to stop building a control point on the disputed location before reopening the border.
