Pakistan has made passports mandatory for truckers from Afghanistan, marking a significant shift from its previous policy of allowing the movement of goods and services from the neighbouring country without such documents.
The move was announced by the South Asian Islamic Republic's Foreign Secretary Syrus Sajjad Qazi in Islamabad on Friday, underlining that the decision was taken because of "anti-Pakistan activities" on Afghan soil.
The move was announced by the South Asian Islamic Republic's Foreign Secretary Syrus Sajjad Qazi in Islamabad on Friday, underlining that the decision was taken because of "anti-Pakistan activities" on Afghan soil.
"After the arrival of Afghan Taliban*, anti-Pakistan activities have increased," Qazi noted.
Following the development, trade between Afghanistan and Pakistan was suspended, including at the Torkham border, as Pakistani authorities began asking cargo drivers for passports or permits associated with their travel.
Interestingly, Pakistan has been tightening the noose around the Taliban-led Afghanistan after accusing the hardline Islamic movement in Kabul of being hand in glove with the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP**).
Pakistan has repeatedly blamed the TTP for targeting its security forces, military installations, and state institutions.
Moreover, Pakistan has often cited Afghanistan as the safe house of TTP militants, considering its intelligence agencies have been alleging that they escape to the neighbouring nation after launching attacks inside Pakistani territory, particularly in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa that borders the war-torn country in the West.
Interestingly, Pakistan has been tightening the noose around the Taliban-led Afghanistan after accusing the hardline Islamic movement in Kabul of being hand in glove with the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP**).
Pakistan has repeatedly blamed the TTP for targeting its security forces, military installations, and state institutions.
Moreover, Pakistan has often cited Afghanistan as the safe house of TTP militants, considering its intelligence agencies have been alleging that they escape to the neighbouring nation after launching attacks inside Pakistani territory, particularly in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa that borders the war-torn country in the West.
*under UN sanctions for extremism.
**A banned terrorist organization.