Afghanistan- Editorial: Torkham hardships
Date
1/18/2019 3:06:38 AM
(MENAFN- Afghanistan Times) Taking notices of complaints pertained to indifferent
attitude with countrymen on the part of officers and personnel of Pakistan
organs, ambassador at Islamabad Wednesday visited Torkham. Ambassador
Shukarullah Atif Mashaal concluded his trip with making a request to the host
government for increasing strength of FIA immigration staffers, which according
to him could minimize miseries of the Afghan nationals who are visiting
Pakistan for various socio-economic, health, education and other purposes.
Whatever might be outcomes of Atif Mashaal's visit or request to Pakistani
authorities but he deserve appreciation as since a long he is the first ever
Afghan diplomat in Pakistan who realized his responsibilities of addressing
miseries and complaints of the countrymen. Torkham is considered one of the
busiest crossing points between the two countries at international level. From
last several years, one could witness queues of thousands of people before
immigration and other government departments right from dawn till dust at
Torkham. One could reach in Torkham from Kabul in four and from Peshawar in one
hour but they are bound to consume from four to five hours in Torkham just for
stamping of passport offices. Similarly drivers and transporters are bound to
stay from one to three days for clearing documents. And on such grounds not
only today but several decades ago, the international monitors and observers
have made suggestions for enhancing infrastructures as well as personnel of
various government departments for early disposing off of immigration, customs
and other matters of passengers crossing over the crossing points. Earlier, the
crossing point was known for free-movement but couple of years back, Pakistan
went for one-sided restrictions on the pretext of 'crossing point security
arrangement' thus enhancing hardships for the people of both the countries,
travelling and visiting each others. Though maltreating of people, especially
Afghans at Torkham by Pakistani security personnel is an old practice but in recent
years it reached to its peak. On one hand Pakistan has made compulsory passport
with valid visa as essential for travelling between the two countries. Likewise
are the conditions for bilateral trade between the two countries but it
(Pakistan) yet to take steps for ensuring posting of required strength of
immigration, customs and trade departments at the crossing point. Similar is
the situation on Afghanistan sides. But compare to Pakistan, there is still no
any restrictions either for own countrymen or Pakistani nationals. Whatever
might be mode of relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan and restrictions on
crossings and requirements/conditions for stay but no one could block people
from both sides of visiting each others. In according to Geneva Conventions,
neighboring countries couldn't block its citizens of visiting each others on
the grounds of relations and friendships. On such grounds, Kabul and Islamabad
are bound to take steps for ensuring maximum facilities and infrastructures on
all crossing points and making easy the system.
MENAFN1801201901690000ID1097991431
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.