Pakistani authorities have banned the entry of Afghan drivers through the Torkham border crossing as of August 1 unless they have passports and visas. Torkham, a critical trade route between Pakistan and Taliban-ruled Afghanistan, had been reopened by Pakistan in January after a 10-day closure prompted by Islamabad's imposing passport and visa requirements on Afghan drivers. Pakistan initially set an April 1 deadline for compliance, but then extended it until August 1. lslamabad's move to require visas and passports -- documents many Afghans do not have -- came as Pakistan accused the Taliban of allowing militants to stage attacks across the border from Afghanistan's territory. To read the original story by RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal, click here.
Pakistan Bans Entry Of Afghan Truckers Without Visas, Documents Through Torkham
The Torkham border crossing between Afghanistan and Pakistan (file photo)