JALALABAD (SW) – New immigration measures by Pakistan barring Afghans exit to their country on tazkira identity cards has caused grim challenges for those stranded in Pakistan.
Passengers arriving through passports via Torkham say some of the stranded passengers include children and women who are in critical condition during the month of Ramadan. They said there were some people who did not have enough money to live there.
A passenger, Syed Ahmad Wali, told Salam Watandar: “The biggest problem in Torkham is that those with ID cards are not allowed to enter. It’s very difficult, because one it is fasting month and the other issue is the extremely hot weather. They have been hoping for a few days that they might return, but they are not allowing it. They are really facing a lot of problems.”
Earlier, Pakistan did not allow emergency patients to enter the country without passports, but it did allow people to return to the country with ID cards.
Bilal Karimi, deputy spokesman for the Islamic Emirate, said they had begun diplomatic efforts to resolve all issues facing Afghans living abroad.
In the past, however, there were major challenges for commuters. But, Torkham commissioner Ghaziullah Hashimi says he has largely solved the problem.
“Officials are working to resolve the issue of Afghans returning to Afghanistan or other problems faced by Afghans abroad, and we hope that this problem will not be permanent and hopefully it will be resolved soon,” he said.
The travellers demand that Pakistan should increase the flow of passengers and those who are currently stranded should be allowed to return to the country as soon as possible.
Hayatullah Hamidi, a social activist, told Salam Watandar: “We want the government of neighboring Pakistan to facilitate the movement of Afghans. ”
Pakistani officials have repeatedly promised to increase access and facilities for Afghans to travel. But the criticism is that it has not been implemented as it should have been.
ENDS
