Multiple entry visa policy for Afghan drivers supported

PESHAWAR: Pak-Afghan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry has welcomed the decision taken by the Pakistan government of introducing a one year multiple entry visa for Afghan drivers to boost cross border trade.

In a bid to enhance bilateral trade and streamline border management, Pakistan recently announced a new policy of granting Afghan drivers and transporters a one-year multiple entry visa.

“The step taken by the government will help in reducing the hurdles to Pak-Afghan trade and transit trade by facilitating passage of good laden trucks between the two countries,” said Senior Vice President of the chamber, Zia-ul-Haq Sarhadi, in a statement.

Zia Sarhadi, who is also executive member Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), made some suggestions for making the new policy more practical and long lasting. He said before this policy, the government had decided to issue TAD-1 documents for Afghan drivers, with a one year validity.

Initially, he pointed out, the visa fee for TAD was set at $100, but then during processing, the fee increased to $500 and $1,000, creating problems for drivers and traders.Zia Sarhadi said measures should be taken to ensure implementation of fixed fee for the new visa issuance policy and drivers should not be compelled to pay additional amount.

He suggested setting up a desk at Torkham border point for visa issuance and renewal for drivers and cleaners. Zia Sarhadi recalled that the “Red Pass” was issued by the Pakistan government in the late 80s to people associated with Pak-Afghan trade who keep on traveling across the border for business purposes.

He believed that the revival of Red Pass policy would also help in expediting cargo traveling procedure and timing in Pak-Afghan trade.Zia Sarhadi said visits by drivers to embassies for application submission and other formalities would be time consuming and may cause delay in transportation of import-export bound goods between the two countries.