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

By Tahir Khan

ISLAMABAD: Afghan government and traders Saturday welcomed Pakistan’s decision to introduce one-year multiple visas for Afghan transporters and drivers.

The Pakistan embassy in Kabul announced on Friday that the government of Pakistan has decided to issue multiple-entry visas of one-year validity to Afghan drivers and transporters.

Earlier, Afghan transporters, drivers and cleaners would get six-month visas in a normal system. But now the Pakistani diplomatic mission will quickly process visa applications.

“The visa fee for this category would be USD 100. Please apply for a Work (Transit/Transport) visa at https://visa.nadra.gov.pk/work-transit-transport-visa“, the embassy said in a statement posted on X.

Applicants are required to upload a photograph, scanned copy of passport, Tazkira (identity cards), valid Temporary Admission Document (TAD), and employment letter from a registered transport company or authority letter by transport operator and valid driving license.

The embassy has also shared two numbers for inquiries and assistance for the applicants. 

The Afghan government has welcomed the decision. “Pakistan’s decision to reduce the cost of visas between Afghans is a constructive and positive step to improve economic and transport relations between the two countries,” the Afghan Commerce Ministry’s spokesman Abdul Salam Jawad said on Saturday.

“This initiative will not only reduce the financial burden on the Afghan drivers, but will also facilitate the export and import, speed up transit and increase mutual trust in border cooperation. Also, multiple-entry visas will lead to more stability for Afghans and more trade between Afghanistan and Afghanistan,” Jawad told Hum News English from Kabul.

He said the step could be the starting point for more cooperation agreements in the field of transportation and regional trade facilitation

No entry on TAD

Afghan and Pakistani drivers would cross the border points on TAD.

The validity of TAD had expired on May 31st. However, Pakistani authorities had verbally extended it until June 30, according to official sources.

Earlier, drivers and cleaners of both countries would cross the border without any documents. However, Pakistan had long been calling for introduction of proper visa system for all categories.

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Representatives of Afghan traders also hailed the decision and said the Pakistani decision would ensure uninterrupted cross-border movement of commercial vehicles.

A senior leader of the Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PAJCCI) and Afghan businessman Khan Jan Alokozay praised the decision and said the decision would facilitate Afghan transporters.

Alokozay, however, requested Pakistan to reduce the visa fee and issue two-year multiple visas to transporters and drivers.

He told Hum News English that Pakistan has now made a special category that will ensure Afghans transporters get visas in a short time.

He said the Afghan government has also withdrawn its objection at the issuance of visas to drivers and transporters.

“This is a major facility for the Afghan transporters as they would previously get six-month visas and that would also come in normal procedure,” Alokozay said.

The Afghan government had previously advocated for TAD for drivers. But Pakistan had been advocating for a visa system.

Pakistani business leaders also welcomed the decision but insisted that no one should be allowed to get more money than whatever has been decided.

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Zia ul Haq Sarhadi, senior vice-president of PAJCCI said that some people force transporters and drivers to pay more money both in Afghanistan and Pakistan.