Following the imposition of a visa requirement for travel at the Spin Buldak-Chaman border, residents of Chaman have organized a large protest to demand the reversal of this decision.
The protesters argue that the new rule, which mandates passports and visas for crossing the Spin Buldak-Chaman border, has created significant difficulties for both locals and traders on both sides.
The protesters are calling on the Pakistani government to allow people to cross the border without a visa.
They warn that if their demands are not met, they will escalate their protests.
Sadeq Khan Achakzai, a representative of the protesters, says, “This is our land, and the decision made by the Chief of Army Staff is incorrect, as it was made under the authority of a religious cleric and a tribal leader.”
Mohammad Wali, one of the protesters, explains that the visa ban has caused serious challenges. He adds, “We aren’t afraid of prison or death; we will demand the rights of these poor people and are ready to make any sacrifice for the use of national ID cards for border crossings.”
The Pakistani government has yet to comment on the protesters’ demands.
Wali Mohammad, another protester, says that if their demands are not accepted by the Pakistani government, they will take more serious actions. “Every household in Chaman has suffered thousands of rupees in losses, our daughter-in-laws have been humiliated at the Spin Buldak-Chaman gate. This is a matter of dignity, and we will definitely seek revenge for this humiliation.”
It has been nearly a year since the Pakistani government made passports and visas mandatory for regular citizens and traders wishing to cross the Spin Buldak-Chaman border due to security concerns.
