The Struggles of Chaman Residents Amid Border Restrictions

The Impact of Border Restrictions on Chaman Residents

For most of his life, Abdul Manan, a 55-year-old resident of Chaman, Pakistan, viewed the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan merely as a line on a map. Like many before him, he made the daily trek from his modest mud-brick home in Pakistan to the family’s wheat fields across the border in Afghanistan. His four sons accompanied him, skillfully transporting electronics and groceries from bustling markets on one side to households on the other.

This routine was not just a personal journey; it was a lifeline for tens of thousands of residents in Chaman, the last official border crossing where individuals could navigate freely with just their Pakistani national identity cards. However, in October, everything changed when the gates abruptly closed.

Pakistani officials have justified these new restrictions as vital security measures, particularly in light of the recent spike in cross-border militant violence following the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in 2021. Surprisingly, most of the travel activity had been originating from within Pakistan. For the first time in over a century, local authorities now mandate that residents present passports and visas to cross—a requirement that virtually none possess.

This sudden shift has thrown the daily lives of many residents into disarray. Small traders, who once relied on the border for their livelihoods, now find themselves effectively barred from their shops, facing the grim reality of spoiled goods and accumulating bills for their shuttered businesses. Farmers, unable to access their fields due to the border restrictions, have missed critical wheat harvests, jeopardizing their ability to feed their families.

Moreover, porters who used to earn up to $3.50 a day by carrying goods like electrical items and groceries on their backs or hand trolleys have seen their only source of income vanish overnight. The once-bustling cross-border trade that provided sustenance and stability for many has come to a standstill, leaving the community in a state of uncertainty and hardship.

Chaman, a city located near the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan, has become a focal point for the challenges faced by its residents. As they navigate this new reality, the impact of these border restrictions continues to ripple through their lives, transforming a simple crossing into a symbol of lost opportunity and deepening struggles.