Pakistan bars Afghan drivers from crossing border sans travel documents

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has said that no Afghan driver or cleaner will be allowed to cross into Pakistan without valid travel documents from August 1, according to a notification issued by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Simultaneously, Pakistan and Afghanistan have begun implementing the preferential trade agreement signed last month for a one-year period.

The commerce ministry said that “on the recommendation of Pakistan’s Representative in Kabul, the secretary commerce has approved an extension in the validity of expired vehicle TADs (Temporary Admission Documents) until August 2025 for Afghanistan-registered vehicles.”

Also read: Afghan govt welcomes Pakistan’s multiple-entry visas for transporters

“However, the One-Document Regime (ODR) shall be implemented effective August 1. Hence, entry will be allowed only for Afghan drivers and cleaners with valid visas,” said the notification dated July 31.

HUM News English has seen a copy of the notification, issued by Joint Secretary Maria Kazi.

The ODR has been simultaneously implemented at the Torkham and Chaman border crossings — the two main and busiest trade routes between the countries.

An Afghan official told HUM News English on Friday that Kabul does not require visas from Pakistani drivers and cleaners.

Pakistan has already introduced a one-year, multiple-entry visa for Afghan transporters, drivers, and cleaners to promote cross-border trade. However, Afghan transporters continue to complain about long delays in the issuance of Pakistani visas.

According to Afghanistan’s Commerce Ministry, exports of four key agricultural products to Pakistan under preferential tariffs officially began on August 1, 2025, under the new trade framework agreed between both countries.

The four Afghan export items are grapes, apples, pomegranates, and tomatoes.

The four Pakistani export items are bananas, mangoes, potatoes, and oranges (kinnows).

Tariffs on these goods have been reduced to 27 per cent, down from over 60 per cent previously.

The agreement is valid for one year but is extendable, and may include additional items in the future.

“This important step will pave the way for increasing trade volume, strengthening economic cooperation, and creating a market for farmers in both countries,” the Afghan Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Afghanistan’s Ministry of Industry and Commerce has urged all exporters to take advantage of the opportunity and organize their exports accordingly.

Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan stated on July 24 that the selected items were in high demand on both sides and would immediately impact farmers’ livelihoods.

“For example, potatoes from Pakistan are in great demand in Afghanistan. Similarly, Afghan fruits will directly benefit ordinary farmers. Overall, we remain optimistic about the direction and trajectory of bilateral economic relations. And we hope to see more progress,” he said during a weekly briefing.

According to recent reports by the Afghan Commerce Ministry, bilateral trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan reached $1 billion during the first six months of 2025.