ISLAMABAD: A high-level Pakistani official delegation is leaving for Afghanistan today, where consultations will be held with Afghan officials on important issues such as bilateral trade, border management, and cooperation.
During the visit, detailed discussions are expected between the two countries on the “One Document Regime”, which aims to make the border crossing system easy and effective. The possibilities of further improving border management, trade cooperation, and movement systems will also be considered in the delegation’s meetings.
Sources further said that this visit is pre-planned and has nothing to do with the recent Torkham border closure or Pak-Afghan tensions. This visit is being described as an important link in maintaining ongoing diplomatic and economic ties between the two countries. The delegation will also discuss confidence-building, security cooperation, removal of trade barriers, and improvement of border facilities in various meetings with Afghan officials.
The visit comes at a time when the two countries are engaged in several complex issues related to border security, refugee return, and trade, and is seen as a positive step towards regional stability and enhanced connectivity.
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The ceasefire agreement between Pakistan and Afghanistan has started showing positive results, as the Torkham border, closed for the past nine days, is likely to reopen within the next 24 to 48 hours.
According to sources, officials from both countries have reached a basic agreement to reopen the border. If no new dispute arises, the crossing will be reopened soon.
It is worth mentioning that the Torkham trade route was closed on the night between October 11 and 12 after unprovoked firing by Afghan forces. Since then, all kinds of movement across the border have remained suspended for nine days.
Pakistan exports medicines, cement, rice, fruits, and vegetables to Afghanistan, while it imports coal, fresh fruits, and dry fruits, among other goods, from the neighbouring country.
