PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Mehmood Khan on Tuesday visited Torkham border point to oversee the arrangements for the 24/7 opening of the border for trade.
Talking to media on the occasion he said the Prime Minister Imran Khan would formally inaugurate the opening of Torkham on September 18 that would improve the bilateral relations between the two countries. “The round the clock opening of the border is aimed to promote trade activities with Afghanistan and central Asian states through the route besides enhancing export of Pakistani products.
He said the 24/7 opening of Torkham border was a longstanding demand of tribal people and Prime Minister has ordered the opening for the facilitation of tribal people. The CM said that Islamabad desires strong ties with Kabul and opening of Torkham border is part of the government’s efforts, adding that in the past, Khyber Pass remained a trade route for centuries and opening of the border would usher a new era of prosperity in the region.
To a question regarding the health sector, he said that soon the provincial government would make its one-year performance report public. The performance of the KP government is far better than those of other provinces of the country, he asserted. The CM said that reforms in district headquarters hospitals of merged districts would also be introduced soon to ensure best health facilities to tribal people in their own areas.
Prime Minister Imran Khan was scheduled to formally inaugurate 24/7 service at Torkham border on September 14, however, he once again postponed his visit to Torkham border. Now the visit of the prime minister to Torkham border has been rescheduled to September 18.
Strict security arrangements were made for the expected visit of the prime minister and besides best 70 contingents of police, additional security personnel were also deployed at Torkham border and Pak-Afghan Highway to ensure foolproof security.
