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Peshawar – More than 16,000 Afghans have crossed the border into Pakistan on proper visas during the last one week since the border was reopened on October 21 following a six-month closure, officials said on Thursday.
The Torkham border was closed due to rising corona cases and it remained shut for six months. While the border remained shut during the period, those coming to Pakistan for medical treatment were allowed.
Border officials said those using Pakistani soil as transit route to move to other countries were also allowed to cross the border during the mentioned period.
As per official data, around 16,133 Afghans entered Pakistan in seven days while 5888 Pakistanis also crossed the border into Afghanistan during the period.
However, the people said they were facing problems due to slow immigration process. Several travellers said on the one hand, visa applicants are in large numbers while on the other, they also have to go through corona testing and other formalities, which take much time.
Abdul Rehman, an Afghan, said that after crossing the border, he had spent the entire day for visa procedures and he was able to begin movement into Pakistan.
An official of NADRA, wishing anonymity, said that due to lack of staff, the visa process takes time because the applicants also have to first get tested for corona virus and then proceed for the visa.
181 held , weapons seized in Peshawar
Capital City Police on Thursday arrested 181 suspects and also recovered weapons in raids and snap checking in the provincial capital. A spokesman for Peshawar Police said that the cops recovered 28 pistols, four Kalashnikovs, four rifles and hundreds of bullets during the actions.
Meanwhile, the police also completed security audit of banks in Peshawar. During the process, the cops visited the banks, reviewed security arrangements and also checked the weapons being held by the security guards of the banks.
The police spokesman said that the guards were asked to immediately contact the local police in case of any suspicious activity or people in their premises.