Hundreds of nomads, passengers denied entry into Pakistan

PAKTIKA (Pajhwok): Hundreds of nomads and passengers are stranded in Agnur Ada area of Barmal district in southeastern Paktika province after being denied entry into Pakistan.

Many passengers say they have legal documents but still they are not allowed by Pakistani militia forces to cross the border.

However, officials say efforts are underway to use all legal means to help passengers and patients to cross the border.

Ahmad Javed, a resident of Paktika province, told Pajhwok Afghan News that around 600 families of nomads and hundreds of other passengers were stranded at the border town.

He added that most of the passengers and patients had legal documents but they were not allowed to move to Pakistan.

Another passenger, Sher Ahmad, said he had been stranded at Angur Ada town since last 12 days despite having refugee card, and other necessary documents such as passport and visa, but was still not allowed to travel to the neighboring country.

He said that his residences were on both sides of the Durand Line and he needed to always commute between the two sides.

He asked the Taliban to take action and address the problem so people would commute as they did in the past.

Sayedullah, another passenger stranded in the port, and has cancer disease. “I have legal documents to go to Pakistan. Despite I am seriously ill, I am not allowed to go to that country.”

He said that his disease has turned worse during his waiting time in the border and he was at the risk of death.

He added that officials of the new Afghan government had repeatedly talked to the Pakistani side about reopening of the border crossing, but to no avail.

Sultan, a nomadic refugee, told Pajhwok that hundreds of nomads’ families commute through Angur Ada passage every year, but they were not allowed to pass the port now.

A few days ago, a group of passengers was trying to cross the border into Pakistan but Pakistani militia opened fire on them, leaving one of them dead whose body was found 15 days later, he said.

He called on the government to resolve the issue so that they would be able to travel between the two countries.

Mulavi Haji Saeed, in charge of Angur Ada entrance gate, said there was no problem for trucks to pass and only people were not allowed to cross the border.

He said that officials were working with Pakistani side to resolve the problem.

Spin Boldak and Torkham gates were also recently closed for ordinary people that faced them with many problems.

Mds/ma

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