Thousands of supporters of Pakistan’s Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam party staged protests in the city of Chaman, on the other side of the Durand Line, against the Pakistani government’s decision to close the Chaman-Spin Boldak border crossing due to the mandatory implementation of passport and visa requirements.
The protesters stated that this decision by Pakistan is unacceptable to them and urged the government to change its economic suppression policies under the pretext of passport requirements.
Maulana Muhammad Yousaf, a representative of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Pakistan, said: “In the name of passports, the Uruzgan gate has been closed for the people of Chaman for the past 15 months.”
Sadiq Khan Achakzai, spokesperson for the Chaman protest movement, said: “We support all efforts made in favor of the sit-in protest. Our demand is absolutely clear: no acceptance of passport requirements at the Chaman-Spin Boldak gate. We will continue our struggle in this regard.”
On the other hand, a leader of Afghan refugee rights in Islamabad said that the Pakistani government, by enforcing passport and visa requirements at the Chaman-Spin Boldak crossing, aims to separate the Pashtuns.
Fawzia Khanum, a leader of Afghan refugee rights in Islamabad, stated: “The Pakistani government, by enforcing passport requirements on the Chaman-Spin Boldak route, intends to create division among the Pashtuns and separate them from each other. However, I urge the people of Chaman to strengthen their protests and prevent this malicious intent.”
Over the past 15 months, Pakistan has made passport and visa requirements mandatory for crossing the Chaman-Spin Boldak border, which has resulted in the unemployment of thousands and the loss of business opportunities for traders on both sides of the Durand Line.