Daily Times

KHYBER AGENCY: The Pakistani border authorities have informed its citizens via public notice to avoid crossing Torkham border without having their passports.

The implementation on decision as per notification and public banners will come into effect from January 1, 2017. However, the local tribesmen, who reside alongside the bordering area, would be exempted of the restrictions as they will have to show their Rahdari cards issued to them by Pakistani bordering officials.

Sharing details last day the forces official said that as per prevailed restrictions has been imposed at the Torkham border Pakistan nationals are permitted to cross into Pakistan by showing Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC).

Security officials revealed that on Afghan side of Torkham border, several Afghan citizens were involved in making and giving fake documents to people to enter to Pakistan. The human trafficking mafias, they said were earning huge income by changing photo while original remains the same and unauthorized person can easily cross into Pakistan.They maintained that all the forge making CNICs centers, equipped with sophisticated photo-shops have been functional across the border in Afghanistan. The involved elements in these heinous crimes are said to be charging Rs 4,000 to Rs 8,000 per CNIC for committing unlawful practice.

Border authorities further informed that Torkham border lacks well equipped National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) center to verify CNICs holders at bordering area to curtain illegal movement on it.

In the lights of several complaints lodged by security agencies at Torkham border, the decision to make movement at the border further regularize, the condition of passport was set compulsory for Pakistan nationals who crossing to and from Afghanistan to Pakistan, sources added. Although, the sources said that local tribesmen will be exempted of the restriction and those having Rahadari cards will be allowed to move either side of the border.

One killed in firing at car: A youth was killed and his three other friends sustained critical injuries as unknown gunmen fired at a car on the Indus Highway near industrial estate here Monday, police sources said.

They said that four friends were going in a car when unidentified armed men opened indiscriminate firing at them near the Industrial Estate in Karak on Indus Highway.

As a result, the sources said, four persons setting in the car sustained critical injuries and were immediately shifted to the district headquarters hospital Karak. One of the injured identified as Ihsanullah son of Haleem Khattak, a retired SHO and resident of Warana district Karak succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. The condition of the other injured was stated to be critical.

The accused managed to escape after committing the crime.