Pakistan resumed the Afghan Transit Trade on a phase-wise basis after a 10-day suspension, following a “temporary ceasefire agreement” reached with the Afghan Taliban government in Doha. Clearance of 300 vehicles has begun.. Around 300 vehicles had been stranded at various points during the suspension.
The transit trade operations have been restored via 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 trade operations will resume on a “First In, First Out” (FIFO) basis after the existing backlog is cleared.
In the first phase, nine vehicles that were sent back from the Friendship Gate due to the border closure will be cleared. These vehicles will undergo re-weighing and scanning, and in case of any discrepancies, 100% inspection will be conducted.
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 re-weighed and scanned, and any inconsistencies will lead to a comprehensive search.
In the third phase, 217 vehicles currently stationed at the Halting Yard will be cleared and allowed to cross the border.
The directive also states that photographs of all returned or halted vehicles will be taken at the Friendship Gate and recorded to ensure transparency and proper documentation.
Read: Explained: Pakistan-Afghanistan border conflict
The resumption of transit trade is expected to bring relief to traders, transporters, and cargo operators, who suffered significant losses during the border closure. According to officials, security and inspection measures have been further tightened in the resumed trade operations to prevent smuggling or illegal trade.
Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan intensified recently after the 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, Afghanistan agree to immediate ceasefire in Doha talks
Pakistani officials said on October 11 that Pakistan had closed crossings along the 2,600-km (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, through which dozens of trucks and cargo consignments move daily between the two countries. The restoration of transit trade is expected to revive cross-border commercial activity and improve bilateral trade relations.
