Islamabad has opened the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. The Imran Khan government opened the Chaman and Torkham border crossing for trade and civilian movement between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The interior ministry issued a notification declaring the opening of the Pakistan-Afghanistan border at Torkham and Chaman for six days a week for cargo traffic and Saturday for the pedestrian crossings.
The Pakistan-Afghanistan border was closed on March 27, 2020, as a precautionary step to restrain the spread of coronavirus. Later the border was unlocked for three days a week in April. The decision of opening of the border was taken in the meeting of the National Command and Operation Centre, the notification said.
“Torkham border will remain open for 24 hours/six days a week (except Saturday) and an unlimited number of trucks will be allowed per day, while ensuring proper SOPs and guidelines for both Afghan Bilateral Trade and Afghan Transit Trade,” read the notification.
“Chaman border will remain open for six days a week (except Saturday) for specified timings (as already notified) and an unlimited number of trucks will be allowed per day while ensuring proper SOPs and guidelines for both Afghan Bilateral Trade and Afghan Transit Trade,” it added.
“Saturdays will be reserved for the pedestrian move only as per procedure already in vogue. Standard Quarantine Protocols/SOPs (as applicable for air passengers) will be implemented for pedestrians as well,” the notification said.
