Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party Issues 3-Day Ultimatum to Government Over Chaman Border Closure

Chaman (Daily Qudrat) – The Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PMAP) district chapter highlighted the severe humanitarian crisis caused by the Chaman border closure during a press conference. According to the party, dozens of Pakistani citizens have been stranded in Afghanistan for nearly five months due to ongoing border tensions, while some Afghan citizens remain stuck in Pakistan.

The press conference revealed that these individuals traveled with valid visas and passports but have been unable to return due to the border shutdown. Their visas have expired, financial resources are depleted, and they are enduring extremely difficult conditions. Additionally, transport vehicles and drivers remain stranded in Afghanistan.

PMAP criticized the government for a double standard, noting that Pakistani citizens stuck in other countries receive immediate assistance, including special flights, whereas no meaningful steps have been taken for those stranded at the Chaman border. The party also exposed incidents of human smuggling, where vulnerable citizens were charged large sums to be illegally transported across the border.

The party demanded the immediate and safe return of all Pakistani and Afghan citizens, as well as stranded drivers and vehicles. PMAP called for swift action against individuals involved in human smuggling and urged the government to resolve the crisis from a human rights and citizen rights perspective so that travelers can reach their homes safely before the last ten days of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr.

PMAP emphasized that this issue is not merely administrative or border-related but fundamentally a human rights matter. The party has given the government a three-day ultimatum to take concrete and transparent measures. Failure to act within this period will compel PMAP to mobilize peaceful, legal, and democratic protests, including potential sit-ins at government offices.

The party expressed hope that the government will address the humanitarian crisis seriously and ensure the safe return of all stranded travelers before Eid