PESHAWAR: The politicians and business community have welcomed reopening of border between Pakistan and Afghanistan, saying it would ease tension between the neighbouring countries.

Qaumi Watan Party chairman Aftab Khan Sherpao in a statement here on Tuesday hailed reopening of the border and said that it would not only improve ties between the two countries but would also help to ease tension between them.

He said that closure of border was not a durable solution to the issue of terrorism as it brought miseries to the peoples and traders. He said that reopening of border was a good omen.

`It should be utilised as a first step to further solidify relations between the two neighbours,` said Mr Sherpao.

He said that reopening of border was olive branch towards normalisation therefore peace should be given an opportunity in the larger interests of the region.

The QWP chief said that trust deficit should be removed among peoples, traders, governments and establishments of both the countries so that confidence could be restored between them.He also hailed the London dialogue.

Similarly, Pak-Afghan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry senior vice president Ziaul H aq Sarhadi appreciated the government`s decision to reopen the border and said that it was need of the hour.

However, he said that only eight trucks had crossed the border to Afghanistan because the drivers possessed visas and passports.

He said that the drivers and other people, who did not have such documents, were not allowed to cross the border.

Mr Sarhadi said that the stranded vehicles should be allowed as special case and for the future the government should announce a 15-day time so that the people could get visas and passports.

He said that obtaining those documents was a difficult task as people were waiting for the same in long queues.

Meanwhile, All Pakistan Agricultural Produce Traders Federation president Malik Sohni welcomed the resumption of transportation between the two countries and said that it was good omen for future of the region.

However, he expressed his reservations over the unscheduled closure of the border and suggested that exporters and importers should be given a chance to pass the gates in case of any bilateral issue in future.

He said traders had shifted their goods to cold storage following the closure of the border.