The Pakistani government has started implementing a new visa regime on the Chaman border crossing with Afghanistan despite protests by locals, traders and even political parties.

In November, the national apex committee, comprising civil and military officials, decided that only those with valid passports and visas would be allowed to cross the border. Earlier, Pakistanis and Afghans would cross the border upon showing either Pakistani or Afghan national identity card, reported Dawn News.

The decision led to a sit-in, with the protesters claiming it would hurt nearly 40,000 people who depend on daily border crossings for their livelihoods.

Balochistan Inform­ation Minister Jan Achakzai has confirmed the development.

He said all arrangements were already in place for the new policy, and intending travellers were visiting passport offices in Chaman, Qila Abdullah and other areas for new passports. “The Chaman passport office has issued over 1,000 tokens to applicants who applied for the passport,” Achakzai told Dawn, adding that 200 passports have already been delivered.

He said a one-time permission has been granted to Afghans who arrived in Chaman on Tazkira to enter their country.

Upon their return to Pakistan, they will have to show a passport and visa, he told Dawn.