The Kabul Tribune (KT)— Pakistan will resume the Afghan transit trade in phases following a recent ceasefire agreement between Islamabad and Kabul, the country's Directorate of Transit Trade announced, according to Geo News.
In a statement, customs officials said cargo clearance would
take place in three stages. In the first phase, nine vehicles that were turned
back after the closure of the Bab-e-Dosti border crossing will be cleared. The
second phase will process 74 vehicles that returned from the National Logistics
Cell (NLC) terminal, while 217 vehicles parked at the halting yard will be
cleared in the final phase for onward movement to Afghanistan.
Customs authorities confirmed that directives had been
issued for the gradual restoration of operations, starting with the Chaman
border route.
Trade officials in Chaman told Geo News that hundreds of
cargo vehicles remain stranded due to the prolonged suspension. They said more
than 370 trucks are parked in cities across the province, while around 300 are
stationed at terminals in Chaman. Additionally, over 500 freight vehicles and
150 trucks involved in the Central Asian transit trade are still awaiting
clearance.
Pakistan shut down the Torkham and Chaman border crossings
on Oct. 12 after Taliban forces and affiliated militants attacked multiple
Pakistani military posts along the border. The clashes, which began overnight
between Oct. 11 and 12, resulted in the deaths of more than 200 Taliban and
allied fighters, while 23 Pakistani soldiers were killed, according to the
Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
Following the attacks, Pakistan carried out what it called
“precision strikes” inside Afghanistan, targeting militants in Kandahar
province and Kabul. A temporary 48-hour ceasefire was announced on Oct. 15 at
Afghanistan’s request and later extended as both sides held negotiations in
Doha, Qatar.
Pakistan and the Taliban reached an agreement for an
immediate ceasefire during Qatar-mediated talks on Sunday. Defense Minister
Khawaja Muhammad Asif said the parties would meet again on Oct. 25 in Istanbul,
Turkey, for further discussions.
Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed the truce,
saying both sides had agreed to a “complete and meaningful ceasefire.”
