Pakistan Imposes New Passport and Visa Rules at Torkham Crossing

The Pakistani government recently announced that after the end of May this year, Afghan drivers will no longer be allowed to cross the Torkham crossing without a passport and visa.

Torkham is one of Afghanistan’s most important commercial crossings, with hundreds of cargo trucks transporting goods daily.

Meanwhile, drivers using this route say the Pakistani government’s decision has disrupted their daily operations.

Azimuddin, a driver at the Torkham crossing, said: “The Temporary Admission Document (TAD) cards state they belong to one company, but they’re marked as belonging to another. Also, wherever we go, Afghan drivers are constantly harassed and extorted. No one knows who Ahmad or Mahmood is—everyone acts independently. One has set up a weigh station, another blocks the road without reason.”

Ghulam Rasool, another driver at Torkham, added: “When we hand over our passports, they charge us money. Then we apply for a visa and wait a month or more, but still, no visa is issued.”

Some Afghan traders said the new restrictions create hurdles instead of facilitating trade, which will economically harm both sides and negatively affect trade between the two countries.

Zalmai Azami, a trader in Nangarhar, said: “If this is implemented, it will be very difficult for Afghan traders. Many of their goods will be delayed on the roads, at the ports, and in Karachi. This is a serious problem, and the Islamic Emirate must resolve it with Pakistan.”

Mohammad Ghalib, another trader in Nangarhar, said: “The restrictions Pakistan has imposed on the TAD card might force Afghan and Pakistani traders to consider alternative routes and look for other trade corridors.”

At the same time, the Afghanistan-Pakistan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Investment has called for an effective solution to enhance trade between the two countries.

They also urge the Pakistani government to extend the current travel rules for another three years to allow a more stable trading environment.

“Our request is to extend the TAD system without the need for passports and visas for another three years. This would standardize transport systems on both sides and allow drivers to prepare for passport and visa processing,” said Naqibullah Safi, CEO of the Afghanistan-Pakistan Joint Chamber of Commerce.

This comes after Pakistan closed the Torkham crossing for nearly a month in March this year, causing over $70 million in losses for traders on both sides.