Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has ordered border officials to end the practice of requiring a “letter of permission” from the Interior Ministry for all Afghans entering Pakistan via the Torkham border crossing.
On September 30, Khan’s special assistant on establishment, Shehzad Arbab, posted on Twitter that the prime minister had ordered an end to the practice following “complaints of illegal extortion of money from incoming Afghans.”
Hundreds of Afghans with valid visas for travel to Pakistan had been stuck at the border because they had been unable to get the letter of permission.
Officials introduced the controversial requirement for the Torkham crossing following the Taliban takeover of Kabul in August, saying it was necessary to prevent the entry of militants.
No such letter was required at the Chaman border crossing or for passengers travelling from Afghanistan by air.
Pakistan Cancels 'Letter Of Permission' For Incoming Afghans After Extortion Claims
Editor's Picks
Subscribe
Afghanistan/Pakistan Trending
1
Afghan Women Not Barred From Speaking To Each Other, Says Taliban
2Turkey Deports 325 Afghan Nationals In 48 Hours
3Afghan Journalists Fear Losing 'Last Remaining' Freedoms
4Taliban Carries Out Sixth Public Execution Since Returning To Power
5Taliban To Attend UN Climate Conference For First Time
6This Afghan Family Is Surviving On Leftovers From Neighbors
7Freight Train Arrives In Afghanistan From China As Beijing Looks To Increase Ties
8Violence Against Women, A Crime That Transcends Borders
9Afghanistan, One Of The World's Most Vulnerable Countries To Climate Change
10What Is Behind The Deadly Sectarian Violence In Pakistan?
RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.
If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.
To find out more, click here.
