Pakistan has gradually resumed Afghan transit trade after a 10-day suspension, following a “temporary ceasefire agreement” reached with the Afghan Taliban government in Doha. Customs clearance of 300 vehicles has begun. Around 300 vehicles were stranded at different points during the suspension.
Commercial transit operations have been restored along the Chaman route. The Directorate of Transit Trade (Customs) has issued a detailed directive outlining that cargo operations will be completed in three phases.
According to the directive, normal transit commercial operations will resume on a first-in, first-out (FIFO) basis once the existing backlog is cleared.
In the first phase, nine vehicles that were returned from the Friendship Gate due to the border closure will be dispatched. These vehicles will be re-weighed and scanned and in case of any discrepancies a 100% inspection will be carried out.
Read: FBR suspends Afghan transit trade amid border unrest
In the second phase, 74 vehicles that were returned from the NLC Border Terminal Yard will be processed. These will also be reweighed and scanned, and any inconsistencies will lead to an extensive search.
In the third phase, 217 vehicles currently parked at the detention yard will be cleared and allowed to cross the border.
The directive also states that all vehicles returned or stopped at the Friendship Gate will be photographed and recorded to ensure transparency and proper documentation.
Read: Explained: Pakistan-Afghanistan border conflict
The resumption of transit trade is expected to provide relief to traders, shippers and cargo operators, who suffered significant losses during the border closure. According to officials, security and inspection measures have been further strengthened in the resumed business operations to prevent smuggling or illegal trade.
Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan escalated recently following Afghan fire on multiple locations in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, prompting swift military retaliation. Several Afghan posts were destroyed and dozens of Afghan soldiers and militants were killed.
Also read: Pakistan and Afghanistan agree to immediate ceasefire at Doha talks
Pakistani officials said on October 11 that Pakistan had closed crossings along the 2,600-kilometer (1,600-mile) border with Afghanistan. The two main border crossings with Afghanistan, at Torkham and Chaman, and at least three minor crossings, at Kharlachi, Angoor Adda and Ghulam Khan, were closed, local officials said.
On October 19, Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed to an immediate ceasefire during talks in Qatar. The two sides agreed to meet on October 25 in Istanbul to discuss “detailed matters.”
The Chaman border is considered the most important land trade route between Pakistan and Afghanistan, along which dozens of trucks and cargo shipments circulate daily between the two countries. The restoration of transit trade is expected to revive cross-border trade activity and improve bilateral trade relations.
