Torkham crossing reopens for transit trade

JALALABAD (Pajhwok): Pakistan has reopened the Torkham crossing for transit trade, say officials in eastern Nangarhar province.

Police spokesman Abdul Basir Zabuli told Pajhwok Afghan News the Torkham crossing point reopened following talks between the two sides and problem would be solved permanently.

He said Afghan transit vehicles were allowed to travel through Torkham without passports or visas as a result of negotiations between officials from the two countries.

On Tuesday afternoon, Nangarhar Information and Culture Department spokesman Maulvi Sediqullah Qureshi told Pajhwok Pakistan had closed the Torkham gate for transit trade, asking drivers to obtain visa.

He said officials of the Torkham commissary had taken similar action and they did not allow Pakistani drivers without visas and passports to enter Afghanistan.

Three months ago, Pakistan had closed the Torkham gate for all kinds of traffic.

sa/mud