Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman, the Jamaat-e-Islami chief, has called for reopening Pakistan-Afghanistan border crossings arguing that prolonged closures are severely hurting trade, local businesses, and livelihoods in border regions. He proposed forming joint tribal and trader committees on both sides, with emphasis on areas such as Chaman, to restore and regulate cross-border movement and trade, and he criticized what he described as selective and restrictive border management policies that create unnecessary bottlenecks. Pakistan's official position remains that any large-scale normalisation or reopening of border crossings is contingent on security conditions, with authorities insisting that until the Afghan Taliban takes concrete and sustained action against cross-border terrorism and militant groups operating from Afghan territory—including those targeting Pakistan—major crossings will remain restricted for security reasons. The development has drawn mixed reactions within Pakistan, with some supporting reopening to ease economic pressure, while others emphasize that security must remain the top priority; Afghan media outlets have also been reporting on the issue, reflecting shared concerns about trade, governance, and stability along the frontier. From an analytical perspective, a cautious, evidence-based approach balancing economic relief with security commitments is warranted: pilot openings at selected crossings such as Chaman; establish joint border governance with representation from traders and tribal communities on both sides; harmonize customs and immigration procedures; invest in surveillance, lighting, fencing, and rapid response; require credible action from Afghan authorities against cross-border militant groups; implement data-sharing on smuggling and terror-related incidents; tie any concessions to measurable security milestones with regular review; and secure international support for border-management capacity-building. In short, reopening could boost livelihoods and trade if security is demonstrably improved and governance is transparent and accountable.
Source: Statement from @AfghanTimes7
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Published: May 25, 2026, 8:07 am
Editorial Note: This article is based on publicly available information and official statements. We strives for accuracy and fairness in all reporting.
