According to an official source, Pakistani authorities are doing everything they can to make it easier for Afghan people to cross the Pak-Afghan border, including introducing the Integrated Border Management System and other measures. About 13,000 people travel to and from Afghanistan each day through the crossing points, including pedestrians, patients, traders, tourists, and transporters. Despite limited resources and manpower, Pakistan is operating over 100 counters at the crossing points to ensure the smooth processing of the heavy inflow of cross-border movement. There are even exclusive counters for Afghan patients and women. Pakistan allows a large number of Afghans, especially patients, journalists, women, and traders, to cross the border on humanitarian grounds, even without a valid passport. Pakistan’s offer of a border crossing for Afghan people to earn a livelihood, visit relatives, address medical emergencies, or get an education is exclusive among its neighbors.
The official dismissed propaganda by Afghan and Indian media alleging mistreatment of Afghans by Pakistani authorities at the crossing points, pointing out that no other bordering country experiences such an exodus at their border crossings. According to official data, around five to six thousand Afghan nationals are refused entry every month due to insufficient or no documents, and a few of those who face refusal falsely create a nuisance about mistreatment by Pakistani authorities at border crossing points.
Despite challenges, Pakistani authorities are making a considerable effort to facilitate the movement of Afghan people through the Pak-Afghan border, including introducing an Integrated Border Management System and exclusive counters. Pakistan is also allowing a large number of Afghans to cross the border on humanitarian grounds, even without a valid passport. Therefore, allegations of mistreatment of Afghans by Pakistani authorities at the crossing points are baseless and false.
