Sharif orders immediate reopening of Pak-Afghan border

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has ordered the reopening of the Pak-Afghan border with immediate effect as a goodwill gesture, considering the two countries' religious, cultural and historical relations.

Sharif hoped the Afghan Government would take measures to eliminate terrorists present on their soil.

"A durable peace in Afghanistan is essential for peace and stability in the region," he said.

Sharif asserted that prolonged closure of the Pak-Afghan border was against the interests of the people and the economy of the two countries.

Pakistan had closed the border last month post a string of deadly militant attacks, which the military leadership claimed, were carried out by militants operating from safe havens in Afghanistan.

However, Pakistan temporarily opened border crossings with Afghanistan at Torkham and Chaman on March 7 and 8 to allow people, visiting the two counties on valid visas, to return.