QUETTA: The Chaman-Spin Buldak border between Pakistan and Afghanistan, which was closed after clashes between the two countries’ forces began last week, was restarted on Sunday morning.
All hurdles have been removed from both sides of the Friendship Gate on the border.
The border was restarted after a delegation of ulema from Chaman headed by ethnical elder Molvi Haji Faizullah Nourzai held accommodations with Kandahar Governor Yousef Wafa and other Taliban leaders.
Sources said that the ulema delegation also remained in contact with elderly Pakistani officers during their addresses with Afghan officers.
“ Our concession remained fruitful and redounded in the opening of the border,” Mufti Mohammad Qasim, spokesperson for the Ulema delegation, said.
He said the delegation conveyed a communication of goodwill from Pakistani authorities to the Kandahar governor and other Taliban leaders.
He said the people involved in trade from both sides were facing financial losses due to the check of the bother.
According to Mufti Qasim, “ both sides rued the clashes which caused loss of lives from both sides”.
He said a flag meeting between border officers from both sides is anticipated in a couple of days to resolve the issue which caused the clashes. Direct addresses between elderly officers of the two countries would help in reducing pressure in border areas on both sides, he added.
Mufti Qasim hoped the situation would ameliorate in the coming days.
After the opening of the border, business was also restored which was suspended on Feb 24.
A large number of exchanges carrying Afghan conveyance trade goods, import and import particulars, fresh fruits, and vegetables crossed the border.
Hundreds of Pakistani and Afghan citizens, who were stranded on both sides of the border, also returned to their countries. They included women and children.
With the opening of the border, hundreds of diurnal paycheck laborers also reached the border and started loading and disburdening goods from exchanges and other vehicles in Chaman, Imran Khan Kakar, former vice-chairman of the Pak-Afghan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry, told Dawn.
