The Pakistani government recently announced that after the end of May this year, Afghan drivers will no longer be allowed to cross the Torkham crossing without a passport and visa.
Torkham is one of Afghanistan’s most important commercial crossings, with hundreds of cargo trucks transporting goods daily.
Meanwhile, drivers using this route say the Pakistani government’s decision has disrupted their daily operations.
Some Afghan traders said the new restrictions create hurdles instead of facilitating trade, which will economically harm both sides and negatively affect trade between the two countries.
At the same time, the Afghanistan-Pakistan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Investment has called for an effective solution to enhance trade between the two countries.
They also urge the Pakistani government to extend the current travel rules for another three years to allow a more stable trading environment.
This comes after Pakistan closed the Torkham crossing for nearly a month in March this year, causing over $70 million in losses for traders on both sides.
