Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan Mohammad Sadiq held talks with officials at the Torkham town to promote trade activities and prevent violence along the Durand Line.
Torkham Commissioner Abdul Jabbar Hikmat told TOLOnews that the two sides discussed facilitating the movement of commercial goods, emergency patients, and travelers.
Speaking about the meeting, Commissioner Hikmat said: “Efforts should now focus on expanding trade. Currently, around 400, 500, or 800 trucks are in transit. This number should increase to 1,000 or even 1,400. We must boost trade.”
According to the commissioner, Sadiq pledged the provision of facilities for emergency patients and travelers at the Torkham crossing.
“Between 50 to 60 patients cross the Durand Line. We informed them that many patients come here, including cancer patients from 34 provinces. These restrictions must be removed. Anyone with an ETA visa or a medical visa should be allowed to cross and receive treatment in Pakistan,” Abdul Jabbar Hikmat said.
Several Afghan traders and residents of Nangarhar also called on Pakistan’s special representative to take serious and practical steps toward resolving current challenges and fulfilling commitments.
Zalmai Azami, a trader from Nangarhar, said: “The fact is, such diplomatic engagement and movement between both countries is beneficial to both sides. I urge both nations to keep trade separate from politics.”
Gulbahar Ghilji, a Nangarhar resident, said: “Travelers should be treated kindly. Patients going to that country should be helped instead of being obstructed. Helping them would be much better.”
Sajjad Zwak Amiri, another resident of Nangarhar, said: “Crossing should be made easier for patients and travelers, and these barriers should be eliminated because Pashtuns live on both sides of the Durand Line.”
This visit by Pakistan’s special envoy comes just two days after he participated in the first trilateral meeting between Afghanistan, Pakistan, and China, hosted by Amir Khan Muttaqi, the acting foreign minister of the Islamic Emirate.
SOURCE : TOLO News
