PESHAWAR: Pakistani customs authorities have begun enforcing a visa requirement for Afghan cargo truck drivers entering Pakistan, effective August 1, according to bilateral agreements. Consequently, cargo vehicles without visas are being barred from entering Pakistan via the Torkham border crossing.
In response, Afghan security authorities have banned the entry of all types of cargo vehicles from Pakistan into Afghanistan. This situation has led to the suspension of bilateral trade activities and has left thousands of cargo trucks stranded on both sides of the border.
Until July 31, Afghan cargo truck drivers were provided with temporary entry permits (TAD) to facilitate trade without the need for visas. However, Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary announced that the government has ended this policy, now requiring passports for entry, meaning truck drivers can no longer use temporary documents to cross the Pak-Afghan border.
The Foreign Secretary also expressed concerns about terrorist groups such as ISIS, the East Turkestan Movement, and the banned Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) operating from Afghanistan against Pakistan. He emphasized that the presence of the TTP in Afghanistan poses a persistent threat to Pakistan and that Islamabad has repeatedly conveyed its concerns to Afghan authorities.
Since the Afghan Taliban’s takeover, there has been an increase in anti-Pakistan activities originating from Afghanistan. Up to July 22, 664,000 illegal Afghan citizens have returned from Pakistan to Afghanistan.
The Foreign Secretary also mentioned that after the Pulwama attack, the Srinagar bus service was suspended, and a 200% duty was imposed on the import of Pakistani goods. Diplomatic missions in New Delhi and Islamabad were reduced by 50%, and although former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari visited India last year, no discussions on bilateral relations took place. Tensions along the Line of Control have decreased since 2021 due to bilateral consultations.
Additionally, Pakistan has permitted India to export 40,000 tons of wheat to Afghanistan through its territory.
