Abdul Manan, 55, had been crossing the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan daily for most of his life, commuting from his home in Pakistan to his family’s wheat field in Afghanistan. Alongside his four sons, they transported goods between markets and homes on both sides of the border.
However, in October, the border gates abruptly closed, disrupting the routine of tens of thousands of residents in Chaman, a Pakistani town located at the last official border crossing point. Pakistani officials cited security concerns following a surge in cross-border militant activities after the Taliban’s takeover in Afghanistan in 2021.
For the first time since the border’s establishment over a century ago, Pakistani authorities now demand residents to possess a passport and visa for crossing – documents that most residents do not have. This has severely impacted their daily lives, with small traders unable to access their shops, farmers missing crucial harvests, and porters losing their primary source of income.
Effects of Border Closure:
- Small traders locked out of shops, leading to spoiled goods and mounting bills.
- Farmers unable to harvest wheat, affecting their ability to provide for their families.
- Porters losing income from transporting goods across the border.
| Credit |
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| Saiyna Bashir for The New York Times |
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