Movement of people picks up at Chaman border
Syed Ali Shah, Sardar Muhammad Khondai, Manan Mandokhail :
The movement of people on either side of the Pak-Afghan border Chaman has picked up during the last week. However, the number of Afghan migrants has increased at the Pak-Afghan border Chaman recently. The number has increased almost three times as compared to the past, a senior administration official said. He requested anonymity.
Afghans moved towards Chaman from Kabul and Jalalabad-Torkham border after troubles and unfolding events there. “The burden is now on Chaman border”, the official stated.
The volume of trade increased at the border
Bilateral trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan saw a sudden rise in the aftermath of the Taliban’s control over Afghanistan in general and the Southwestern belt in particular. Bilateral trade had fallen low in the past because of untoward incidents at the border in the past.
The supply of fruits, dry fruits, and vegetables increased from Kandahar, Zabul, Helmand, and other Afghan provinces. “Without any fear and extortion, we are exporting fruits to markets in Pakistan”, Nasrullah Khan, an Afghan national told Quetta Voice.
Apart from pedestrians, businessmen, and local tribesmen, people from central and northern Afghanistan were also entering Pakistan at the Chaman border.
“I am coming from Ghazni”, Jawad Hussain, an ethnic Hazara national said. He preferred not to give the reason behind leaving his country. “There was uncertainty in Afghanistan”, Mr. Hussain said.
Militants repeatedly targeted Hazara community
Militants have repeatedly targeted the minority Shia Hazara community in central Afghanistan and Quetta, Pakistan’s Southwestern city during last more than two decades.
Captain (R) Jumadad Mandokhail, the Deputy Commissioner Chaman said the Afghan nationals entering Pakistan through Tazkeera (Afghani identity card) can only travel to Killa Abdullah and Pishin districts. Afghan nationals attempting to reach Quetta and other parts of the country would be arrested, Mr. Mandokhail said.
Most of the pedestrians entering Afghanistan were carrying small bags, not heavy luggage. Male members of the family were leading females. Burqa-clad and women without covering their faces were also coming from Afghanistan. “Covering face not necessary now”, one of the Afghan nationals leading a family said. He was from Kunduz and Persian speaking.
Most parts of the former volatile Southern Afghanistan are also dependent on Quetta in terms of medical treatment. A large number of patients have been coming to the city for last more than three decades for medical treatment.
Pakistan has also taken strict security measures in the aftermath of unfolding events in Afghanistan. Apart from para-military troops, the federal government has also deployed Pak Army personnel to maintain order.
