Pak-Afghan Friendship Gate reopens after 14 days

Pakistan reopened its border with Afghanistan at Chaman on Thursday after 14 days of deadlock over an Afghan mob attacking the Friendship Gate and burning the Pakistani flag.

Frontier Corps Spokesman Khan Wasay had earlier informed that the two countries have agreed to reopen the gate on September 1 after successful negotiations, reports the Dawn.

The closure of the Pak-Afghan border resulted in suspended NATO supplies and cross-border trade between Islamabad and Kabul.

Four meetings were already held between the two countries without any results.

However, during yesterday's flag meeting, Afghan authorities admitted that there was no justification for the unprovoked protest and claimed that some elements had played a negative role to foment differences between the two countries.

The two sides agreed to improve cooperation and coordination between border guards in order to avoid untoward incidents in the future.

Every day between 10,000 and 15,000 Pakistani and Afghan traders cross into Chaman and Vesh Mandi in connection with their business in the border towns.