Lahore: Pakistan has granted permission for 150 Afghan cargo trucks, previously stranded, to deliver goods to India. This decision marks a significant development in the region, as reported by the local Dawn newspaper referencing a statement from Pakistan's Foreign Ministry.

According to Anadolu Agency, this move follows a recent suspension of trade between Pakistan and India, which was announced on April 24. The suspension included halting trade through third countries via Pakistan. The Foreign Ministry's statement acknowledged a request from the Afghan Embassy in Islamabad made on Monday to address the issue of containers stuck in Pakistan.

The statement confirmed, "Pakistan has decided to permit stranded Afghan trucks, carrying goods in transit to India," allowing the trucks to cross the Wagah Border, a key crossing point between Pakistan and India. This decision comes amid escalating tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, following a deadly attack on April 22 in Pahalgam, located in India-administered Kashmir. The attack, attributed to unidentified gunmen, resulted in 26 fatalities.

India has alleged that the attack had "cross-border links," a claim Pakistan has denied, while also calling for a joint investigation into the incident. In recent days, there have been exchanges of small arms fire across the Line of Control, the disputed Kashmir border, further heightening tensions.

Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar stated on Wednesday that while Pakistan will not initiate escalation, it will respond "very strongly" if provoked by India.