74 Afghan citizens allowed crossing Chaman border

PESHAWAR (Pajhwok): Scores of Afghans with passports and visas have been allowed to cross into Afghanistan from the Friendship Gate in Chaman, as the border remains closed.

In the first movement in nine days since the closure of the Chaman border crossing, more than 70 Afghan citizens including women and children were permitted to cross into their country,

A Pakistani newspaper reported on Sunday: “A group of 74 Afghans who were staying in Pakistan with legal documents, including visas and passports, crossed into Afghanistan.”

Dawn quoted an unnamed official as saying: “No one is allowed to cross into Pakistan from Afghanistan even if they have travel documents.” No decision on the re-opening of the border had been taken yet, he said.

Although Afghan Ambassador Omar Zakhilwal claimed on Saturday the border had been reopened partially, the Chaman-based Pakistani official said the closure was for an indefinite period due to security concerns.

Long queues of trucks containers laden with transit trade items and NATO supplies are stranded on both sides of the border. They are unlikely to move until further notice.

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