Despite the dispute, Pakistan opens its borders with Afghanistan to bring in UN aid
Intends to Pakistan Temporarily allowing Humanitarian aid provided by United Nations to Afghanistan through its border crossings, officials announced to Agence France-Presse on Thursday, in the first partial reopening of the borders since the bloody clashes between the two countries in October.
A Pakistani government official told Agence France-Presse: "In response to formal requests from UN agencies, the Pakistani government agreed to a limited and specific humanitarian exception to allow containers to be transported to Afghanistan"
Afghanistan is considered one of the poorest countries in the world, with more than 85% of its population living on less than one dollar a day, according to the United Nations Development Programme.
The two countries have witnessed intermittent clashes since the Taliban regained control of Kabul in 2021.
Islamabad accuses the neighboring country of harboring militants who launch attacks on its territory, which the Afghan government denies.
3 Stages of aid delivery
The official indicated that the deliveries, which will take place in 3 stages, include food, medicines and medical equipment, in addition to other basic supplies related to health and education.
A United Nations official confirmed that aid will again enter Afghanistan soon.
However, the head of the information department in the Afghan city of Spin Boldak, which is close to a major border crossing, told Agence France-Presse that "He does not have any information on this matter yet and access to the border is closed"
The border between Afghanistan and Pakistan has remained closed since the clashes between the two countries in October, except for deportations of Afghans expelled from Pakistan.
Closing the border to trade
The Pakistani official pointed out that the border will remain closed to trade, noting that its partial reopening to aid is subject to conditions.
He added. "Pakistan has not reopened the border to trade or migration with Afghanistan"
Dozens of Afghan trucks, some carrying spoiled food, were stuck when the border was closed on October 12 due to border clashes that left dozens dead and were followed by a fragile truce.
The two countries suffered trade losses totaling more than $100 million, and up to 25,000 workers were affected in the border areas, according to the Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Pakistan is the largest trading partner. For Afghanistan, which does not have a sea port, Islamabad supplies it with rice, medicines, and raw materials.
In return, it imports 45% of Afghan exports, according to data published by the World Bank last year.
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