ISLAMABAD: The border points between Pakistan and Afghanistan, namely Chaman’s Friendship Gate, Khyber’s Torkham Border, South Waziristan, North Waziristan, and Kurram District, are all closed for the 11th day in a row because of the dispute between the two countries, which is going on and getting worse.
The blocking of these significant border passages has had a very negative effect on the two countries’ commerce, people’s movement, and living standards. The border has had a long line of trucks, which consist of different kinds of goods such as cement, medicines, textiles, fresh fruits, and vegetables; thus, the trade and transportation have been delayed.
Food prices have gone up considerably because of this situation, while hundreds of Afghan workers who used to work in Pakistan are now stuck and unable to receive their daily wages.
Custom authorities at Chaman have stated that all the activities related to trade and travel visas and passports have been entirely stopped at the Friendship Gate, which has resulted in thousands of passengers being stuck on both sides of the border. There are about 5,000 Pakistani citizens in Chaman, who are waiting to get back to their homes, but they are facing a lot of troubles because of the closure.
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There are unconfirmed reports that not only has trade been suspended but also those wanting to cross the border for personal reasons are facing quite a lot of difficulties. The long closure is causing a heavy loss to the local economies of the border areas.
On the other hand, the governments of Pakistan and Afghanistan are communicating through diplomatic means to come to a solution that will allow the border crossings to be opened as quickly as possible. They are doing this because they want to restore normalcy and be able to have good relations with each other again.
