Pakistan and Afghanistan on have&nbsp;reopened the Torkham border crossing, weeks after a row over travel papers erupted earlier this month.

The border was closed since Jan 12, as Islamabad imposed strict controls requiring truck drivers from both sides to have visas and passports.&nbsp;<img alt="Torkham crossing | Google Maps" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="850a4a55-c51f-4e91-baa7-2ce79b86a7b5" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20-%202024-01-24T100000.914.png" />

Torkham crossing | Google Maps

For decades, the border check on both sides allowed truck drivers entry and exit without passport compulsions, throwing in the semblance of a free flow of people and goods in the Af-Pak region.

During 1978-1992 Afghan Civil War, Pakistan facilitated the&nbsp;route for the passage of US-backed&nbsp;non-Afghan fighters into Afghanistan to fight against the Soviet Army.

Pakistan and Afghanistan share a 2,640 km border&nbsp;— called the Durand Line&nbsp;— which Kabul, under both democratically-elected governments as well as the Taliban, has described as a vestige of the British empire in the subcontinent and deems illegal.

A Pakistan border official confirmed to the AFP news agency the reopening of border on Monday (Jan 22) after negotiations between Islamabad and Kabul, allowing hundreds of waiting trucks to cross.

"It was agreed during the discussions that until 31 March, Pakistani and Afghan drivers can cross the border without a visa and passport," he said.

"However, starting on 1 April, both a visa and passport will be mandatory," he said.

According to Islamabad-based Center for Research and Security Studies, more than 1,500 civilians, security personnel, and militants were killed in attacks by armed groups.

Also watch |&nbsp;Protests at Afghanistan-Pakistan border, anger over new rules for Afghan visitors | World News| WION

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"Pakistan desires Afghanistan to adopt a tough stance against the TTP (Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan)," a senior provincial government official in Peshawar City told the AFP.

"If they do not, the trade route will be intermittently closed for various reasons," the official said.

<h2>Pakistan-Afghanistan ties in recent months</h2>

Pakistan in November&nbsp;claimed that the Afghan government is "doing nothing against terrorism emanating from Afghan soil". Islamabad claims that it is the&nbsp;violation of the US-Taliban Doha agreement that made American withdrawal from Afghanistan conditional based on the Taliban's assurance that Afghanistan "will not become a safe haven for terrorists".&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-claims-60-pc-rise-in-terror-after-investing-in-afghanistans-taliban-regime-656479">After backing Taliban for years, Pakistan now claims 60 pc rise in terror from Afghanistan</a>

Ties between the two countries have increasingly frayed in recent months, with Islamabad accusing the Taliban government of failing to root out militants staging attacks in Pakistan from their soil.

Kabul has rejected the allegations.

According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), more than 500,000 Afghans have fled Pakistan in the four months since Islamabad ordered undocumented migrants to leave or face arrest.

(With inputs from agencies)

Pakistan and Afghanistan on have reopened the Torkham border crossing, weeks after a row over travel papers erupted earlier this month. The border was closed since Jan 12, as Islamabad imposed strict controls requiring truck drivers from both sides to have visas and passports.

Pakistan and Afghanistan on have reopened the Torkham border crossing, weeks after a row over travel papers erupted earlier this month. The border was closed since Jan 12, as Islamabad imposed strict controls requiring truck drivers from both sides to have visas and passports. Torkham crossing | Google Maps For decades, the border check on both sides allowed truck drivers entry and exit without passport compulsions, throwing in the semblance of a free flow of people and goods in the Af-Pak region. During 1978-1992 Afghan Civil War, Pakistan facilitated the route for the passage of US-backed non-Afghan fighters into Afghanistan to fight against the Soviet Army. Pakistan and Afghanistan share a 2,640 km border — called the Durand Line — which Kabul, under both democratically-elected governments as well as the Taliban, has described as a vestige of the British empire in the subcontinent and deems illegal. A Pakistan border official confirmed to the AFP news agency the reopening of border on Monday (Jan 22) after negotiations between Islamabad and Kabul, allowing hundreds of waiting trucks to cross. "It was agreed during the discussions that until 31 March, Pakistani and Afghan drivers can cross the border without a visa and passport," he said. "However, starting on 1 April, both a visa and passport will be mandatory," he said. According to Islamabad-based Center for Research and Security Studies, more than 1,500 civilians, security personnel, and militants were killed in attacks by armed groups. Also watch | Protests at Afghanistan-Pakistan border, anger over new rules for Afghan visitors | World News| WION × "Pakistan desires Afghanistan to adopt a tough stance against the TTP (Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan)," a senior provincial government official in Peshawar City told the AFP. "If they do not, the trade route will be intermittently closed for various reasons," the official said. Pakistan-Afghanistan ties in recent months Pakistan in November claimed that the Afghan government is "doing nothing against terrorism emanating from Afghan soil". Islamabad claims that it is the violation of the US-Taliban Doha agreement that made American withdrawal from Afghanistan conditional based on the Taliban's assurance that Afghanistan "will not become a safe haven for terrorists". Also read | After backing Taliban for years, Pakistan now claims 60 pc rise in terror from Afghanistan Ties between the two countries have increasingly frayed in recent months, with Islamabad accusing the Taliban government of failing to root out militants staging attacks in Pakistan from their soil. Kabul has rejected the allegations. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), more than 500,000 Afghans have fled Pakistan in the four months since Islamabad ordered undocumented migrants to leave or face arrest. (With inputs from agencies)

Pakistan reopens border crossing with Afghanistan after deadlock over visa requirements

Nearly three weeks after Pakistan shut its borders with Afghanistan, Islamabad decided to re-open it for two days in order to allow through Afghans with valid visas.&nbsp;

The same will apply for Pakistanis who travelled to Afghanistan on valid visas and wish to return.&nbsp;

The border crossings at Torkham and Chaman will remain open on 7th &amp; 8th March 2017.&nbsp;

The decision comes after the situation on the border had become increasingly tense. Hundreds of trucks were amassing at the checkpoints waiting to cross and many of them were carrying perishable goods, mostly fruit.&nbsp;

Pakistan had decided to shut the borders after accusing Afghanistan of not being capable to to properly secure its frontiers and thus indirectly allowing the terrorists commando who killed more than 130 people at the Lal Shahbaz Qalandar shrine. &nbsp;

&nbsp;

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&nbsp;

Asad Mansoor, a spokesman for Jamaat-ur-Ahrar, a splinter faction of the Pakistani Taliban, claimed responsibility, saying it was part of a campaign launched last month to target &quot;enemies of Islam&quot; across Pakistan&nbsp;

Afghanistan has denied all allegations.&nbsp;

The two countries routinely accuse each other to shelter and indirectly help terrorists.&nbsp;

A Pakistani foreign official said the decision to open the border for two days was taken &quot;In order to provide an opportunity to those nationals of Afghanistan who had come to Pakistan on valid visas, and wish to return to their country.&quot;&nbsp;

Relations between the two countries are currently at a low level due to continuous exchange of fore on the frontiers.&nbsp;

Pakistan&#39;s military said on Monday five Pakistani soldiers were killed in attacks on northwestern border checkpoints launched by militants based in Afghanistan.&nbsp;

According to a Pakistani senior security official, dozens of militants from across the border stormed security posts &lrm;in Pakistan&#39;s Mohmand Agency district on Sunday night.&nbsp;

The Afghan government had no immediate response to the Pakistani statements.&nbsp;

Pakistan summoned the deputy head of the Afghan embassy in Islamabad to protest against the raid.&nbsp;

The two countries share an extremely porous border, very difficult top control due to the heavy presence of militarized terrorist groups.&nbsp;

(Reuters) 
&nbsp;

Hundreds of trucks were amassing on the border risking to lose the perishable goods they were transporting to local markets

Nearly three weeks after Pakistan shut its borders with Afghanistan, Islamabad decided to re-open it for two days in order to allow through Afghans with valid visas. The same will apply for Pakistanis who travelled to Afghanistan on valid visas and wish to return. The border crossings at Torkham and Chaman will remain open on 7th & 8th March 2017. The decision comes after the situation on the border had become increasingly tense. Hundreds of trucks were amassing at the checkpoints waiting to cross and many of them were carrying perishable goods, mostly fruit. Pakistan had decided to shut the borders after accusing Afghanistan of not being capable to to properly secure its frontiers and thus indirectly allowing the terrorists commando who killed more than 130 people at the Lal Shahbaz Qalandar shrine. Read and watch more: Pakistan: Days of Terror (Wion Gravitas) Pakistan Seals Torkham Border Crossing With Afghanistan After Attack on Sufi Shrine Islamic State In Pakistan: 'Hundis' And Extortion Fuels Terror Network Asad Mansoor, a spokesman for Jamaat-ur-Ahrar, a splinter faction of the Pakistani Taliban, claimed responsibility, saying it was part of a campaign launched last month to target "enemies of Islam" across Pakistan Afghanistan has denied all allegations. The two countries routinely accuse each other to shelter and indirectly help terrorists. A Pakistani foreign official said the decision to open the border for two days was taken "In order to provide an opportunity to those nationals of Afghanistan who had come to Pakistan on valid visas, and wish to return to their country." Relations between the two countries are currently at a low level due to continuous exchange of fore on the frontiers. Pakistan's military said on Monday five Pakistani soldiers were killed in attacks on northwestern border checkpoints launched by militants based in Afghanistan. According to a Pakistani senior security official, dozens of militants from across the border stormed security posts ‎in Pakistan's Mohmand Agency district on Sunday night. The Afghan government had no immediate response to the Pakistani statements. Pakistan summoned the deputy head of the Afghan embassy in Islamabad to protest against the raid. The two countries share an extremely porous border, very difficult top control due to the heavy presence of militarized terrorist groups. (Reuters)

Pakistan reopens border with Afghanistan for two days amid rising tensions

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Pakistan reopens border crossing with Afghanistan after deadlock over visa requirements

Pakistan reopens border with Afghanistan for two days amid rising tensions