The newly built Pakistan Gate on the Torkham border has been opened to both traffic and pedestrians, albeit without a formal ceremony.
The newly built gate with colours of the national flag, the iron gate was opened at around 11am on wednesday to vehicles crossing over to Afghanistan and coming into Pakistan.
Pedestrians were also allowed to use the side gate while walking on a fenced footpath.
Pakistan plans to build similar gates at seven other crossing points on the border with Afghanistan — at Arandu in Chitral, Chaman in Balochistan, Gursal in the Bajaur tribal region, Nawa Pass in Mohmand Agency, Karlachi in Kurram, Ghulam Khan in North Waziristan and Angoor Adda in South Waziristan.
A parliamentary standing committee was informed during a meeting in Islamabad last month that the gate would be inaugurated on Aug 1 but the plan was scrapped at the last moment by the border authorities, without citing a reason.
Officials then hinted that the ceremony could be held on Aug 8 and it was speculated that a very important personality was expected to inaugurate the gate.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to Afghanistan Sayed Ibrar Hussain was present on the border when the gate was opened.
