Af-Pak trade resumes as Durand Line crossing reopens

PESHAWAR (Pajhwok): Pakistan has reopened the Chaman-Spin Boldak crossing, paving the ground for the resumption of Afghan transit and legal trade activities.

After Taliban’s capture of Spin Boldak and Wesh districts of southern Kandahar province in the second week of July, Pakistan had sealed the Durand Line crossing.

Following the seizure of the border town, a key commercial hub, by Taliban militants, all trade and traffic between the neighbours came to a halt.

On Tuesday, Dawn quoted a senior official as saying: “Pakistan has reopened the Durand Line at Chaman, resuming Afghan transit trade and other legal business activities.”

Arif Kakar, a Chaman district administration, told the newspaper cargo-laden trucks had started crossing into the neighbouring country it after meeting customs formalities.

Hundreds of trucks carrying Afghan transit trade goods from Karachi and Gwadar sea ports had been stranded in Chaman.

Kakar promised: “The Durand Line crossing will remain open for six days a week.”

Meanwhile, Chaman-based customs officials confirmed a large number of trucks crossed into Afghanistan after the reopening of the crossing.

According to the newspaper, the Taliban are still in control of Wesh, an entry point on the Afghan side. Afghan citizens, stranded in Pakistan, also crossed into their country on production of documents.

“Around 7,000 Afghans, including women, children and patients, have returned home in the past two weeks,” one official said.

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