Pak-Afghan crossings to remain closed due to security situation: FO

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Pakistan has chosen to extend the closure of the Afghan border crossing, citing the security situation, saying that the protection of civilians is more valuable than commercial interests.

The border crossing between the two countries has been closed since October 11, following clashes earlier this month that killed dozens on both sides in the worst fighting since the Taliban’s 2021 takeover of Kabul.

At his weekly press briefing, Foreign Office spokesman Tahir Hussain Andrabi confirmed that the decision followed last week’s security developments, which called for tighter border control measures.

It is worth mentioning here that the closure of the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan pushed up the prices of the essential commodity in both countries, the price of tomatoes is now five times higher in Pakistan.

“The Afghan border crossing will remain closed. The life of a common Pakistani is more valuable than trade or transportation of goods,” the spokesperson said.

Fresh fruits, vegetables, minerals, medicine, wheat, rice, sugar, meat and dairy products account for most of the $2.3 billion annual trade volume between the two countries.

A Pakistani official at the Torkham border crossing in northwestern Pakistan said about 5,000 containers of goods were stranded on both sides of the border.

Regarding the recent ceasefire talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan in Doha, the spokesperson confirmed that a document has been agreed and signed.

Andraabi said it doesn’t matter if the Afghan Taliban government considers it a deal or not.

On the Kunar River issue, Pakistan reaffirmed its commitment to abide by international law.

The border skirmishes erupted after Islamabad demanded that they control militants who attack Pakistan along their shared border, saying they operate from sanctuaries in Afghanistan.

A ceasefire was agreed at talks hosted by Qatar and Turkey last weekend and is holding between the two sides, but border trade remains closed. The next round of talks is scheduled for October 25 in Istanbul.

Commenting on India-Afghanistan relations, the spokesperson said that the reopening of its embassy in Afghanistan is an internal matter between the two countries.

“We do not comment on internal affairs of other states. However, India’s role in Afghanistan has not been particularly positive,” the spokesperson added.

On Israel, the spokesman said Tel Aviv continues to violate international law.

“We will continue to raise this issue. Pakistan is closely monitoring the incidents of Israeli violations and incidents. The establishment of a Palestinian state is the only road map we are following,” the spokesman said.

Transit vehicles get stuck at border crossings

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) today said that before the suspension of trade, customs officials had completed clearance of imported vehicles at Torkham and Ghulam Khan border points.

The revenue board said in a statement that the clearance of imported vehicles was also completed at Kharlachi and Engur Ada border crossings.

A total of 363 imported vehicles were cleared before trade was suspended, FBR said.

However, 23 imported vehicles are still awaiting clearance at Torkham as their importers are yet to submit the Goods Declaration (GDS).

“These vehicles include non-hardy items such as fabrics, paints, groundnuts and pulses,” the statement said, adding that once the importers submit the GDS, the customs authorities will complete the clearance process immediately.

Due to the closure of the border, 255 export-laden vehicles are currently parked inside the Torkham terminal, while around 200 vehicles are stranded along the Jamrod-Landi Kotal road, the FBR said.

The statement clarified that no imported vehicles are awaiting clearance at the Ghulam Khan, Kharlachi or Engor Ada border stations.

The revenue board added that customs clearance operations at Cheman border have been suspended since October 15, where five import and 23 export vehicles are awaiting processing.

FBR said the owners of these goods have refused to take them back and are waiting for the border to reopen and trade to resume.

It added that currently around 495 transit vehicles are waiting to cross the border at Torkham and Chaman. It was concluded that customs personnel remain at the border points, and clearance operations will resume once the situation is normal and the borders are reopened.

– Additional input from writers