Pakistan opens up border gates to allow Afghan nationals to return home

Islamabad: Almost after 18 days, Pakistan on Monday decided to open the Pak-Afghan border gates to allow hundreds of stranded Afghanistan citizens to return home.

Pakistan in an official press statement said, “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, the Government of Pakistan has decided to open the border crossings at Torkham and Chaman on 7th & 8th March 2017”.

The announcement came after Afghan authorities said they would airlift Afghans stranded in Pakistan if the border crossings were not opened.

In the wake of recent bomb blasts on February 16 near border area which killed at least 110 people, Pakistan had closed all the gates shared with Afghanistan as they allege the bombers were from the other side of the land.

The statement also reads that the crossing points will also be opened on these two days for those nationals of Pakistan who had gone to Afghanistan on valid visas and wish to return to Pakistan.

In this regard, the Afghanistan officials have denied the allegations of cross border terrorism and have even exchanged lists of terrorists who they allege are present in the other’s territory.

The decision has been conveyed by Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz to the Afghan Ambassador by telephone. All concerned at the two crossing points have also been informed.

Earlier on Monday, authorities said five Pakistani soldiers were killed in an overnight attack from Afghanistan at Mohmand Agency. At least 10 terrorists were also killed in the resulting fighting, according to the Army.