ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has authorized the movement of United Nations humanitarian cargo into Afghanistan through the Torkham and Chaman border crossings after nearly 50 days of disruption, according to an official notification issued by the Ministry of Commerce this week.
The clearance will apply to consignments from the World Food Programme (WFP), UNICEF and the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) under a phased plan agreed between Pakistani authorities and the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office.
The reopening follows the suspension of cross-border access after armed clashes between Pakistani and Afghan forces in October, which stalled the movement of people and goods, including relief shipments, at a time when aid agencies warn of worsening food insecurity and shortages of medicines inside Afghanistan.
The notification represents Islamabad’s first structured authorization for humanitarian transit since the freeze began, with the government saying clearance will start immediately.
“Principal decision is taken to allow phased movement of WFP, UNICEF and UNFPA containers initially as follows,” the commerce ministry letter dated Dec. 1 said.
