Pakistan has reopened Chaman border, resuming the Afghan transit trade following successful ceasefire talks with Kabul in Doha.
The trade was suspended ten days ago following border skirmishes between the two countries.
Islamabad has initially restored transit trade operations through the Chaman route. For this purpose, the Directorate of Transit Trade (Customs) issued a detailed directive on Wednesday, ordering the resumption of transit trade cargo operations at the Chaman border crossing.
The directive states that after the clearance of the remaining cargo, normal transit trade operations will resume under the “first in, first out” principle.
According to the document, a three-phase procedure will be followed for the clearance of cargo stranded during the border closure.
In the first phase, nine vehicles that were sent back from the Friendship Gate while waiting to cross the border will be processed. These vehicles will undergo re-weighing and scanning, and in case of any irregularities, a 100% physical examination will be conducted inside the National Logistics Cell (NLC) Border Terminal.
In the second phase, 74 vehicles that were sent back from the NLC Border Terminal yard in Chaman will be processed. These will also be re-weighed and scanned, and any discrepancies will result in a full inspection.
In the third phase, 217 vehicles parked in the halting yard will be processed. These vehicles will be allowed to cross the border in accordance with prescribed regulations.
The directive further instructs that photos of all returning and halted vehicles crossing the border should be taken at the Friendship Gate and properly recorded in official documentation.
