Haji Mujtaba

MIRANSHAH: The district administration of North Waziristan tribal district and security forces have decided in principle to reopen the Ghulam Khan border, which was closed in March over coronavirus fears.

A flag meeting between the Pakistan and Afghan border officials will be held today (Thursday) during which the strategy for reopening of the border will be discussed. Sources said officials are in talks over the matter and the border is expected to be reopened soon.

On Wednesday, the district administration and police officials visited the Ghulam Khan border and monitored the available facilities. District Police Officer Shafiullah Khan Gandapur and Deputy Commissioner Shahid Ali were present on the occasion. The civil and military officials welcomed both the senior officers at the border. Both the officers visited the zero point and quarantine centre at the border. They reviewed the arrangements for bilateral trade and facilities being provided. The two officers were briefed by the military officials and Tehsildar Ghaniur Rehman about the Pak-Afghan trade, border management and fencing and facilities in the quarantine centre.

The DC and DPO expressed satisfaction over facilities provided to people. The deputy commissioner said Ghulam Khan border is a crucial gateway for trade with the Central Asia. He said the opening of the border will promote trade activities and create jobs. He said the local population and rest of country will benefit from the border opening.

DPO Shafiullah Gandapur said police will cooperate with the district administration in for making the border fully functional.

The traders of North Waziristan had recently demanded reopening of Ghulam Khan border and also staged protest.

Last month, the transporters of North Waziristan had called upon the government to make arrangements for return of their colleagues stranded in Afghanistan. The local transporters gathered in Khajori area and staged protest in a traditional manner by dancing on the drumbeats. The transporters also blocked the road for all kinds of traffic near Khajori check post by burning tyres over it to record their protest. Commuters faced difficulties due to closure of the road.

The protesters said over 200 Pakistani drivers are stranded in Afghanistan due to coronavirus lockdown and closure of Ghulam Khan border. They said the drivers are stranded there for the last three months and they are not being allowed to come back to Pakistan. They said the families of the stranded drivers are highly perturbed over the situation. The protesters said that the policy of Torkham and Chaman borders must also be applied on Ghulam Khan border and it must be reopened without any delay. They said they will continue their protest if their demand was ignored.