A report released by some media that the border crossing checkpoint on the Tajik-Uzbek border in the Panjakent district (Sughd province) has begun functioning does not correspond to the fact, a source in the Tajik government told Asia-Plus in an interview.
Some residents of the Panjakent district also told Asia-Plus by phone today that the border crossing checkpoint remains closed.
Meanwhile, they added that construction of customs terminals, liquefied-gas-refueling stations and parking areas is under way on both parts of the checkpoint.
Recall, the Uzbek authorities unilaterally closed the border crossing checkpoint between Tajikistan’s Sarazm and Uzbekistan’s Jarteppa (Samarqand region) on November 1, 2010.
There are 16 border crossing points (BCPs) on Tajikistan’s common border with Uzbekistan; nine of them have an international status. Twelve BCPs on the Tajik-Uzbek border are located in the northern Sughd province and the remaining four BCPs are located in the southern Khatlon province and Tursunzoda district (central Tajikistan).
Only two BPCs having international status now operate – “Dousti” in the Tursunzoda and “Fotehobod” in the Mastchoh district (Sughd province). Uzbekistan reportedly sealed the rest of the border crossing points unilaterally.
