BeNewz
Related Articles
The Torkham border crossing has been reopened after 27 days, following successful negotiations between the members of the Pakistan-Afghanistan Jirga, thereby restoring trade activities at the border.
According to sources, a flag meeting held at the Torkham border led to the decision to resume trade, resulting in the reopening of the border after nearly a month of closure. In addition to trade resumption, pedestrian movement is expected to be restored within the next two days. Although immigration staff are present, passenger movement remains suspended due to a malfunctioning scanner. Repair work on the scanner is currently underway, and once the technical fault is resolved, travelers will be permitted to cross the border starting Friday.
Vice President of the Pak-Afghan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Zia-ul-Haq Sarhadi, highlighted the significant economic impact of the closure, noting that approximately 5,000 commercial trucks had been stranded on both sides, resulting in millions of dollars in losses for traders.
Syed Jawad Hussain Kazmi, the head of the Pakistani Jirga, informed Dawn.com that the decision to reopen the border was made on Wednesday during a flag meeting in Torkham. The Afghan delegation at the meeting was represented by Deputy Governor Mawlawi Azizullah and Commissioner Mawlawi Hikmatullah. Kazmi further mentioned that after the repair of Pakistani customs infrastructure—damaged due to Afghan gunfire—the border had now been reopened for cargo vehicles.
In addition, both parties have agreed to an immediate ceasefire until April 15, and a mutual understanding has been reached to halt the construction of disputed checkpoints.
Meanwhile, Afghanistan’s state news agency Bakhtar confirmed that the border has been reopened for vehicles and medical patients, while pedestrian movement will be allowed from Friday.
The closure of the border had initially taken place on February 21, following disagreements between Pakistani and Afghan security forces over construction activities on both sides. The situation further escalated this month when an exchange of gunfire between Pakistani forces and the Afghan Taliban led to injuries of eight individuals, including six soldiers. The conflict resulted in artillery shelling that targeted several houses, a mosque, and some clearing agents’ offices, with cross-border firing continuing for three days.
In response to the escalating tensions, tribal elders from both nations engaged in negotiations to resolve the deadlock. Pakistani Jirga members conveyed to their Afghan counterparts that the border would only be reopened if both sides fully adhered to the established protocols and agreements regarding modifications to existing border structures. The Afghan side was explicitly informed that Pakistan would not tolerate any unauthorized construction or renovation activities along the border, as it had been previously agreed that no additional structures would be built near the zero point.
Sources further indicated that during meetings and subsequent telephone discussions, the Afghan delegation exhibited a “positive” response and attitude. Consequently, Afghan border forces have since refrained from any renovation or reconstruction activities on the disputed checkpoint, known on the Afghan side as “Zangali Posta.”
Torkham customs officials emphasized the financial repercussions of the closure, estimating a daily loss of approximately $1.5 million due to halted exports to Afghanistan. Additionally, the suspension of imports from Afghanistan had already resulted in losses amounting to PKR 545 million.
Meanwhile, sources at the Torkham Dosti (Friendship) Hospital reported that between 70 to 80 Afghan patients cross the border daily for medical examinations, all carrying valid visas.
With the border now reopened, trade and movement between the two nations are expected to resume gradually, bringing much-needed relief to traders, businesses, and travelers alike.
