PESHAWAR(SHAMIM SHAHID): Transporters hialed government decision to repatriate stranded vehicles in Afghanistan as Pakistani authorities agreed to the repatriation of 1,600 Pakistani trucks and trolleys, stranded in Afghanistan when fighting commenced between the forces of both neighbouring countries in the second week of October 2025, the issue persists, as prolonged closure of the border poses bad impacts on socio-economic sectors of both sides.
The schedule was finalised in a meeting chaired by Commissioner Peshawar Division, Riaz Khan Mehsud, on Tuesday. The Afghan Taliban government was represented by its Peshawar-based Consul General Hafiz Mohibullah.
Besides Frontier Corps Lt Colonel Muhammad Arif of the Frontier Corps, Deputy Commissioner Khyber District Captain (Retd.) Bilal Rao, representatives of the Transport Association, and other relevant officials also attended the meeting.
After a detailed discussion, the participants agreed on measures to ensure the safe and dignified return of around 1600 trucks, trollers, along with their owner transporters and drivers. In this respect, the two sides agreed on further strengthening and streamlining the border management system. Emphasis was placed on cooperation among Afghan authorities, security agencies, and transport associations. Relevant institutions were directed to immediately implement the decisions taken during the meeting. It was also decided to accelerate practical measures to resolve the issues faced by transporters.
Representatives of the Transporters Association expressed satisfaction and appreciation for the initiatives. The participants discussed in detail the challenges faced by Pakistani transporters engaged in the repatriation of Afghan refugees, particularly focusing on ensuring their dignified, safe, and timely return from Afghanistan. Concern was expressed over the difficulties faced by approximately 1,600 Pakistani vehicles, along with their drivers and conductors, who have been stranded in Afghanistan for nearly eight months.
The participants stressed the need for an immediate solution. Following mutual consultation, it was decided to allocate specific operating hours at the Torkham Border to regulate the movement of transporters. Under the new schedule, the return of Pakistani transporters from Afghanistan will be facilitated from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., while vehicles traveling from Pakistan to Afghanistan will be allowed to proceed from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Both Peshawar-based Afghanistan Consul General Hafiz Hamd Ullah Mohib and Commissioner Riaz Mehsud deserve appreciation for taking this positive step, but the main issues are yet to be resolved. Almost all trade, diplomatic, and political links between Kabul and Islamabad are on hold, which has posed badly negative impact on both sides. No one can deny that both countries are ahead with hostilities and rifts, inherited from the previous British colonial rulers.
Instead of wasting almost all energies and resources in continuation of these inherited hostilities, leaders from both sides must initiate positive steps for reconciliation, which may be beneficial to both sides. Since last October, high-ups from both sides have met a couple of times, and they have discussed the issues. But almost of discussion and conversation made in a hostile mood. Let’s test the peaceful, political, and friendly traditions of Jirgas, which might be helpful. The Pushtoons, are living on both sides of the Pak-Afghan border who are known for their firm beliefs in settling issues through traditional jirgas. At the moment, decision makers from both sides are lacking politico-traditional attitudes, which are essential for settling issues; therefore, these decision makers should give a chance to political, religious, and traditional tribal chieftains.
Pakistan and Afghanistan are not only two neighbouring countries, but their people are linked in similar blood, linguistic, and religious relations. Both sides are ahaad with similar security, economic, political, and governance issues. Over the last five decades, people from both sides have been made scapegoats by no other than imperialist forces who are interested in securing and safeguarding their own interests.
In recent past, first one were late Prime Minister Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed President Sardar Muhammad Daud Khan have realised settling of issues through mutual understanding. Similar mindsets have been made by Shaheed Premier Benazir Bhutto and Shaheed Najib Ullah in mid if 90’s but sabotaged by no other than war mongers from both sides. In the wake of fueling polarisation in the region, Islamabad and Kabul must take early steps to settle the issues; otherwise, further continuation of feuds may be much more harmful to the very interests of both neighbouring countries.
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