Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to reopen one of its busiest border crossings after 14 days. The Chaman border crossing, also known as 'Bab-e-Dosti' (Friendship Gate), was closed after protesters in Afghanistan burnt a Pakistan flag and pelted stones at the gate.
Reports state that Pakistan decided to reopen the gate after officials from both sides held around five meetings to discuss the issue. Kabul in a separate statement condemned the attack on the Friendship Gate, according to reports by Dawn.
"We decided to open the gate after Afghanistan submitted a written apology over burning of flag," an official from Frontier Corps said.
Trade activities between the two countries resumed on Thursday after a halt of over two weeks following the border point closure. However, security on both sides of the border remained stringent.
A letter was handed over to Pakistan by a three-member Afghan delegation, led by Col Muhammad Ali, during a meeting on Tuesday. The Afghanistan government has condemned burning of a Pakistan flag and stone pelting at the Friendship Gate on Aug. 18.
The officials from Afghanistan also deemed the incident as an attempt by certain elements to create tension and misunderstanding between the two nations.
The closure period also disrupted NATO supplies, transit trade between the countries and repatriation of Afghan refugees under a UNHRC programme.
According to Dawn, traders from both the sides suffered severe financial losses and most business activities between the countries remained suspended for the period. Chaman is one of the busiest crossing points between the nations and more than 50,000 people travel across the border cross points every day.
