October 2, 2020
The relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan are advancing at a pace not hitherto been observed. The recent announcement of the approval of the new friendly visa policy for Afghanistan, by the Federal Cabinet, coupled with the successful conclusion of the three day visit of Islamabad by Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, is a harbinger of bright future relationship between the two states.
The new visa regime is more people centric and covers various aspects like duration of stay, validity of visa and number of entries. It aims at facilitating common Afghans, who need to cross the border on daily basis, seeking medical aid and trade activities. According to the statement by National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser, liberalization both in scope and application, forms the bedrock of the latest visa policy. The visa regime will offer multiple entries on a single visa with duration extended to one year in case of visit visa and five years for business purposes. The new policy is most prospective for Afghan students, who would now get visa for entire duration of their educational stay in Pakistan without any hassle for renewal time and again. Besides, health visas would be offered at the border crossings on arrival.
This is further augmented by measures, such as resumption of the border crossings for pedestrians, four days a week and the opening up of Angoor Adda, Kharlachi and Ghulam Khan border crossings for trade. It would reduce the congestion at Torkham and Chaman crossings, controlling 60 and 40 percent of the transit trade with Afghanistan, respectively. Moreover, the beginning of Afghan transit trade through Gwadar port would not only facilitate Afghanistan’s commerce sector, but also cement Pakistan’s role as a regional hub of trade and connectivity.
The author Tooba Altaf is an International Relations’ graduate, while working as a Researcher at Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), Islamabad.
© Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) and Afghan Studies Center (ASC), Islamabad.
