Friendship Gate reopens after week-long closure

PESHAWAR (Pajhwok): The Durand Line crossing at Chaman, closed by the Taliban last week, has been reopened, says a Pakistan official.

The Friendship Gate was reopened on Friday as a result of successful negotiation between Taliban and Pakistani officials.

In fact, the decision had been taken three days back, but the cross could not be reopened due to a Taliban demand that Pakistan did not accept.

The Taliban, Dawn reported, demanded the Afghans be allowed to enter Chaman from Wesh without visas and other documents.

Subsequently, the newspaper said, the two sides met again on Friday and the Durand Line was reopened.

As a result, Afghan transit trade and import and export of goods resumed after more than a week.

“After negotiations with the Taliban, the crossing has been reopened,” a senior Chaman administration official said.

Transit trade trucks and other vehicles were allowed to cross into Wesh and Chaman. Many Afghans were also allowed to cross into Pakistan.

Pakistan is allowing the Afghan nationals with their national identity cards (tazkera) entry into Chaman.

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