PESHAWAR: Cross-border trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan was back to normal on Wednesday, officials in both countries said, after Islamabad suspended a new visa rule.
Commercial traffic ground to a halt Tuesday when Pakistan began requiring the crew of commercial vehicles to have passports and visas to enter, and Afghanistan responded by refusing to allow any trucks to pass.
“Yesterday, when Pakistan enforced its new rules, the Afghan side responded by suspending trade in protest,” a Pakistan customs official told AFP Wednesday.
“Last night, officials from the Ministry of Commerce held a meeting with Afghan officials, reaching an agreement to grant another two-week extension for Afghan drivers.”
Border trade halts after Pakistan imposes restrictions on Afghans
The official said Pakistan had already twice deferred implementing the new rule.
The media office of the governor of Nangarhar province in Afghanistan confirmed that cross-border trade had resumed.
“Afghan…