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Afghan president bans Pakistani trucks from entering Afghanistan

Dawn.comPublishedOctober 23, 2017

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Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has issued a decree banning Pakistani trucks from entering the country via the Torkham and Spin Boldak border crossings,ToloNews reported.

The Afghan Transport Ministry confirmed the move on Sunday, saying that trucks would only be allowed up to the border crossings, at which point the trucks will have to offload their goods and transfer them to Afghan trucks, according toToloNews.

"The Afghanistan and Pakistan Trade Agreement (APTA) has expired. Before this Pakistan did not allow Afghan trucks to enter its territory. So we [will] do the same, and after this Pakistani trucks will be unloaded at borders and Afghan trucks will carry the goods to Hairatan and Shir Khan ports," Transport Ministry Spokesman Hekmatullah Qawanch said.

It is believed that Ghani's decree will provide a greater number of job opportunities for truckers and transit companies. "Currently there is no work for transit companies and the drivers are at home," a director of a transport company, Abdul Ghafoor Norzai, said.

"Pakistani trucks go to every part of our country, but our trucks are not allowed to enter Pakistan. We want the government to do the same to Pakistan and also help us to be allowed to enter neighbouring countries," said Abdul Rauf, the head of a transport company.

The Afghan Transport Ministry said Kabul would sign transit agreements with Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan soon, on the basis of which Afghan trucks would be allowed to enter the three countries,ToloNews reported.

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Comments (86) Closed

Nomi Goraya

Oct 23, 2017 02:27pm

Good step at least in current scenario we can not afford Afghan trucks crossing border freely and entering Pakistan same is true for Afghanistan may be in some distant future these terms could be relaxed. Just need to develop efficient transit mechanism to make all transition speedy and efficient. Right step in right direction

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JustWasif

Oct 23, 2017 02:34pm

And we are still requesting him to please visit Pakistan...

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Ahmed bin Babar

Oct 23, 2017 02:34pm

Then they should build a dry port on the Afghan side...

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zakir ali Afghani

Oct 23, 2017 02:37pm

fair enough.

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Rohit Shankar (Karachi)

Oct 23, 2017 02:39pm

Sounds so kiddish!!

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Aloo kachaloo

Oct 23, 2017 02:40pm

Good move no complaints here.

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M. Emad

Oct 23, 2017 02:40pm

Iran's Chabahar port (operational from 2018) will improve trade between landlocked Afghanistan and India, Iran, Bangladesh.

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Aamir

Oct 23, 2017 02:40pm

President of Kabul shouldn't be issuing decrees.

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Adil Jadoon

Oct 23, 2017 02:46pm

Sounds fair?

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Sami ullah swati

Oct 23, 2017 02:53pm

A fair deal by Ghani. Equal grounding for business.

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Gerry dcunha

Oct 23, 2017 02:55pm

Tit for Tat diplomacy which makes sense

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Hassan (Karachi)

Oct 23, 2017 02:57pm

Sounds reasonable, when we do not allow Afghan drivers from entering our country the same should happenin Afghanistan.

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Uzair

Oct 23, 2017 02:59pm

Its alright. With the degree of mistrust perceived or real, its better to have stronger boundaries. You are responsible for what happens in your, and we, for our country. This might remove at least remove one excuse in blame game.

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Kamran latif

Oct 23, 2017 03:00pm

Good move.

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Gautam

Oct 23, 2017 03:06pm

The Chabahar port is already operational.

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Indian

Oct 23, 2017 03:13pm

Well done Afghanistan.

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Dnyaneshwar

Oct 23, 2017 03:21pm

Its natural. Especially looking at the events took place in last couple of days.

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Hakim Afghani

Oct 23, 2017 03:21pm

Good move Ashraf Ghani, Now I know you was second in command in IMF and a genius.It will create more jobs for Afghans.RESPECT !

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Sane sid

Oct 23, 2017 03:25pm

Iron Man.... Ashraf Ghani

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Medu

Oct 23, 2017 03:25pm

Please also take all your refuges back.

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naqeeb

Oct 23, 2017 03:26pm

Good move. Lets ban everything on both side of the boarder to be transported

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Sandy

Oct 23, 2017 03:32pm

Good job afghanisthan. Indian built chabhar port will give you further access to Indian Iranian and other markets around the world.

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AMIT

Oct 23, 2017 03:34pm

Good move... Afghanistan has the right to protect its interests.....

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Sandy

Oct 23, 2017 03:35pm

Good job afghanisthan. India-built chabhar port will give you further access to other markets around the world.

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Afghani

Oct 23, 2017 03:36pm

**Nice by move Ashraf Ghani by banning Pakistani trucks. Now they must be offloaded and we will know what is loaded on those trucks, inspect them properly then allow them to enter Afghanistan. BRAVO!!!**

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Feroz

Oct 23, 2017 03:44pm

It is fair that all trade and transit arrangements carry reciprocal facilities which are two way.

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shail

Oct 23, 2017 03:47pm

looks fair ..

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timetostopthis

Oct 23, 2017 03:49pm

Good step in the right direction. Cannot have one way arrangement only.

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timetostopthis

Oct 23, 2017 03:52pm

Why should transport arrangement be one sided in Pakistan's favour? Agreements should be on reciprocal basis. Great decision which will create many jobs in Afghanistan.

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Yousaf

Oct 23, 2017 03:59pm

Nice move which made an header but seems nobody knows that already most of this transportation was done by afghans who are well settled in Pakistan.Bravo Ashraf ghani and advisors.

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Babu,

Oct 23, 2017 04:02pm

This will employ lot of labour in both sides of border areas and will thus generate employment for thousands of people.

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Javid Afghani

Oct 23, 2017 04:50pm

Bravo Ashraf Ghani. Iron man and a genius.

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Adam

Oct 23, 2017 05:22pm

Proud of you Ghani if Pakistan dont allow ours why should we its only fair

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Khurshid Ahmad Khan

Oct 23, 2017 05:22pm

In any case, they arehave to carry on their trade through Pakistan. We should levy tax on this trade for using our infrastructure.

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Muhammad

Oct 23, 2017 06:30pm

Good move

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Ali

Oct 24, 2017 12:45am

Pakistan in return shoul throw out all afghanistanies over to India via wagha border.

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TrollMeNot

Oct 24, 2017 01:48am

Everybody trying to act in their best interests. Luckily, Pakistan is not selfish, so it is acting in the best interests of Chinese.

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Humanitarian APPROACH

Oct 24, 2017 05:02am

Open up all facilities instead closing the existing.Also open free trade with India.Avail comfort fromall neighbors.

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rama

Oct 24, 2017 05:52am

@Medu Let Pakistan give back the loved once and property lost by the Afghan due to Pakistan strategic depth policy !!

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Alla Bux

Oct 24, 2017 06:50am

We wont allow their trucks and they wont allow our trucks. Fair is Fair.

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Khan USA

Oct 24, 2017 07:11am

One step forward and two steps backwards! This is the reality of Afghanistan Pakistan friendship ! Afghanistan will never change !

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Khan USA

Oct 24, 2017 07:13am

@M. Emad My ears are swollen with this news !

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Dipak

Oct 24, 2017 07:36am

One by one country are now no more interesting to do business . What this show .

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khan

Oct 24, 2017 09:15am

This move will raise the cost of of goods and will hurt Afghan traders and customer more than Pakistan's.From political point of view, the Afghan authorities did this just before the visit of the Afghan president to India, apparently in a bid to please Indians.

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POONAWALA

Oct 24, 2017 12:54pm

@timetostopthis ok than please take back afghan refugees from Pakistan

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AFRIDI

Oct 24, 2017 01:12pm

As you sow so shall you reap, a bitter reality

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Shakil

Oct 24, 2017 03:49pm

Inflation can easily be controlled in Pakistan if all exports to Afghanistan is stopped.

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Yousuf

Oct 24, 2017 04:03pm

Fair enough.

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Justice NARADA MUNI

Oct 24, 2017 04:37pm

@POONAWALA : ok than please take back afghan refugees from Pakistan..ok then, first please stop taking money from UN for looking after them.

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Muslim Medina

Oct 24, 2017 04:47pm

Every one welcoming Afghanistan's decision have overlooked the added cost andtime.

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Zaraq Khan

Oct 24, 2017 04:53pm

Please take back all the refugees too .

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Irfan

Oct 24, 2017 07:38pm

Good enough. Your trucks stay there ours stay here.

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M. Siddique

Oct 24, 2017 07:57pm

@Gautam What that port has to do with Afghan trucking from Pakistan border? Indians have one goal to let Pakistan down. Remember Afghans and Pakistanis have deep rooted relationships which Indians cannot replace.

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fact-is

Oct 24, 2017 07:59pm

First fall out of Chabahar port getting operational. Pak is fast alienating itself from all its neighbors with all eggs in one basket (CPEC). While its government wants to play cricket with India and earn money, it does not want to do any trade/business with them. This in-spite of India offering MFN status to it. Absolute double standards and totally detrimental to Pak economy.

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Alim Samad

Oct 24, 2017 08:35pm

That is great. Disconnect with Pakistan to solve 90% of your problem.

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Syed Ahmed, Canada.

Oct 24, 2017 08:38pm

A stupid Afghani administrators. Should Pakistan stop all Afghan truck plying in Pakistan, being used by the construction industry for hauling construction material and buses plying on the road. Markets owned by Afghani's should also be closed? The answer is NO.

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jamshed

Oct 24, 2017 08:58pm

All of sudden there is rush of Indians posing Afghans praising Mr. Ghani's decree and deep up to their necks in creating transportation jobs is nothing but wishful thinking. Afghanistan is in the middle of worst suicide bombings in months as if jobs creation happens in a vaccum while bombing go unchecked and both can coexist together nicely? Indians please don't make a fool of yourself of creating an allusion of a progressive Afghanistan that is not there.This is pure baldardesh as Afghaistan is in dire situation and Taliban their existential threat is not a joke that can be denied or washed away with Ghani's useless decree to divert attention from the real issue.

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Tariqq

Oct 24, 2017 09:04pm

If it was good for Pakistan not to allow trucks from Afghanistan, then it should be good for Afghanistan not to allow truck from Pakistan.

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Syed

Oct 24, 2017 09:05pm

Very good. No need for Afghan trucks or Pakistani trucks to go here and there. Seal the border, let them trade with rocks and mountains.. and Indians who will need to use our air space if they want to economically access Afghanistan too.

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Amin

Oct 24, 2017 10:09pm

Good Move. appreciated Ghani have sole right to decide in favour of its nation. we are not selfish and support who ever work for our deprived brothers and sisters of Afghanistan.

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M. Emad

Oct 24, 2017 10:26pm

Nice by move Afgan President

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Duniya

Oct 24, 2017 10:35pm

Are we still giving them food?

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MAK

Oct 24, 2017 10:40pm

Good step Mr. Ghani. Now the first order of the day, should be to pick up every Afghan from Pakistan, including their embassy and consulates, load them in the trucks and dump them at the border. Let Mr. Ghani handle the rest.

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Adhrish

Oct 24, 2017 11:04pm

Next move: Do we need to keep these border crossings open.. get 3 Million Afghans as well the other 3 millions who have illegally got Pakistan ID cards but came in as refugees out into their country and close the border.

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JIGAR

Oct 25, 2017 12:00am

Afghanistan taking steps in the right direct to build itself. Cannot be blackmailed anymore.

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JIGAR

Oct 25, 2017 12:03am

There are no Afghan refugees in Pakistan. They are all Muslims and Pakistan was made for muslims. No one needs to move any where else.

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Irfan

Oct 25, 2017 12:06am

Great initiative towards OBOR initiative. Unload and Load at every international boundary.

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Hafeez, Canada

Oct 25, 2017 12:12am

Dont allow Afghan Trucks to enter Pakistan.. its way to export terrorism to Pakistan...NO trucks please

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raj

Oct 25, 2017 12:52am

@khan Idiotic views. The chabahar port route to India does not add much cost as its a two way traffic unlike through pakistan. Plus much lesser excise duty. Overall pakistans trade with central asia comes to standstill and looses afghan market also. Everyone can see who the real loser is going to be.

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Oct 25, 2017 01:08am

Seems fair since we did not allow their trucks through either.

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Shan

Oct 25, 2017 02:30am

Excellent step by our afghan brothers.

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LAHORI KID

Oct 25, 2017 04:04am

I strongly suggest to make all Afghans with trucks in Pakistan to be sent back, these truckers have taken thousands of jobs from Pakistani truckers for decades now. Its time Pakistani truck owners get whats rightfully theirs. Pakistan Zindabad.

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Oct 25, 2017 04:50am

we need to send the afghan refugee's back

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Zee

Oct 25, 2017 04:59am

Pakistan should close its borders and all kinds of trades with Afghanistan. Let them trade with India....and have fun.

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Farhan

Oct 25, 2017 05:10am

Ohh That means they will use us as transporter and they will have custody of goods finally.

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Khan

Oct 25, 2017 05:16am

It seems they want a tit for tat policy .. so how about Mr Ghani also host 3-5 Million Pakistanis in their country and provide them with free education, healthcare and job opportunities.? No? then please take back your fellow citizens as you seem to have an autonomous country.

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Ali

Oct 25, 2017 05:40am

Good , stay put in your territory. We are better off.

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Ok it is again

Oct 25, 2017 07:27am

look who is talking? Is a landlocked country in this position?

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Selvan

Oct 25, 2017 08:44am

@Medu "Please also take all your refuges back."Give all the money US and other countries gave you to serve them.

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NO Thanks

Oct 25, 2017 09:35am

And that will do what?

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abid

Oct 25, 2017 10:20am

@Khan USA : afghanistan , iran, india, us, the world except china will never change. so its time to look, who actually needs to change

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FHB

Oct 25, 2017 12:04pm

Please put a block and stop the Afghan Transit via Pakistan also as it is damaging Pakistan economy as-well. High time to send all the Afghans back once and for all.

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Sumbal Saleem

Oct 25, 2017 12:14pm

@Nomi Goraya agreed.

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random

Oct 25, 2017 01:18pm

Economy suffers and financial losses incur when you maintain a hostile border. Peace brings prosperity.

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Ashok Saigal

Oct 25, 2017 01:29pm

@Khurshid Ahmad Khan It appears that the economic strategy of Pakistan is to run their economy by charging the Americans and Afghanis for transit through Pakistan. Would the same apply to the Chinese for CPEC?

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Ashok Saigal

Oct 25, 2017 01:29pm

@Ali Where does India come into the picture?

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