Second Day of Torkham Closure Leaves Travelers, Trade Disrupted

The Pakistan-Afghanistan border at Torkham remained shut for the second consecutive day on Sunday, disrupting trade and leaving hundreds of passengers stranded amid heightened tensions between the two countries.

According to sources, the closure has brought cross-border trade to a standstill and suspended pedestrian movement, creating hardships for travelers and businesses on both sides. On the first day of the closure, hundreds of passengers, including women and children, were left waiting for clearance to cross, with many forced to spend the night at the border due to uncertainty over its reopening.

A large crowd gathered outside the immigration center in Torkham, hoping for an update, but no official negotiations or announcements have been made regarding the resumption of movement. The prolonged closure has also impacted trade, with goods-laden trucks stuck on both sides, raising concerns among traders and transporters.

As the second day of closure continued, traders at Torkham voiced concerns over prolonged disruptions to trade, urging swift resolution to prevent further losses.

Also See: Torkham-Peshawar Highway Reopened After Two Months’ Closure

Qari Nazim Gul Shinwari, a member of the Torkham Customs Association and leader of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI), criticized the frequent border shutdowns, calling them economically damaging for both countries. He estimated financial losses in the millions and urged authorities to resolve disputes through dialogue while allowing patients, women, and children to cross.

The border was sealed on Saturday after tensions flared between Pakistani and Afghan forces over the construction of a bunker by Afghan troops near Zero Point. Security sources reported that Afghan forces attempted to build a bunker in a disputed area, prompting a response from Pakistan’s Frontier Corps (FC).

Both sides have since reinforced their positions, with Pakistani authorities relocating customs, immigration, and police personnel from Torkham Bazaar to Landikotal as a precaution. The standoff has heightened fears of a potential armed clash.

The Torkham crossing, a crucial trade route, frequently faces such disruptions, severely impacting economic activities between the two neighboring countries.

This news is sourced from [The Nation] and is for informational purposes only.