At Torkham border
1,600 Pakistani vehicles stuck in Afghanistan, meeting told
DLP Report
PESHAWAR
Authorities on Tuesday announced revised border management measures at the Torkham crossing to facilitate the return of Pakistani transporters stranded in Afghanistan and improve the efficiency of cross-border transport operations.
The decisions were taken during a meeting chaired by Commissioner Peshawar Division Riaz Khan Mehsud, said a handout.
The statement said the meeting was attended by Afghan Consul General Hafiz Mohibullah, Frontier Corps representative Lt Col Muhammad Arif, Deputy Commissioner Khyber Capt (retd) Bilal Rao, members of the Transport Association and other relevant officials.
Participants discussed issues faced by Pakistani transporters involved in the repatriation of Afghan refugees, with particular focus on ensuring the safe, dignified and timely return of transporters and vehicles from Afghanistan.
The meeting expressed concern over the plight of around 1,600 Pakistani vehicles, along with their drivers and conductors, who have reportedly remained stranded in Afghanistan for nearly eight months. Participants stressed the need for an immediate resolution of the issue.
Following consultations, it was decided to allocate specific working hours for the movement of transport vehicles through the Torkham border crossing. Under the new arrangement, Pakistani transporters returning from Afghanistan will be allowed to cross between 8am and 2pm, while vehicles travelling from Pakistan to Afghanistan will be permitted to cross between 2pm and 8pm.
Addressing the meeting, Commissioner Mehsud directed the deputy commissioner of Khyber district to convene a joint meeting of all relevant departments to ensure the immediate implementation of the decisions and the new border management system.
He said the government was utilising all available resources to ensure the safety, convenience and dignified return of Pakistani transporters and remained in constant contact with Afghan authorities and other relevant institutions on the matter.
Representatives of the Transport Association welcomed the measures and expressed satisfaction over the steps taken to facilitate the return of stranded transporters. They also assured the administration of their full cooperation in implementing the new arrangements.
