Three Weeks of Torkham Closure: A Border Sealed, Lives Stalled, and Hopes Tested

Islamabad/Kabul – Heavy cross-border shelling continues at the Torkham-Jalalabad border, as tensions between Pakistani and Afghan forces intensify. The latest clashes, triggered by unauthorized construction by the Afghan Interim authorities at the border, have further strained already delicate ties between the two neighbors.

Pakistan has repeatedly warned against such actions, urging diplomatic resolutions. However, the Afghan Interim Government (AIG) persists in unilateral moves, escalating hostilities under the pretext of border management while failing to address the real threat emanating from its soil: terrorism.

Border Provocations to Deflect Scrutiny on Terrorism

The latest border escalation comes at a time when Pakistan has intensified counterterrorism operations against the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a group responsible for numerous attacks within Pakistan. Despite repeated assurances of preventing Afghan soil from being used for terrorism, the AIG’s actions suggest otherwise.

For months, Islamabad has pressed Kabul to rein in TTP safe havens inside Afghanistan, emphasizing that terrorism is a shared threat. Instead of genuine cooperation, the Afghan Interim Government has resorted to border provocations, creating instability rather than addressing its internal crises.

Human and Economic Costs of Prolonged Border Closure

Since February 21, the closure of key crossings, including Torkham, has disrupted trade and mobility, impacting thousands of Afghan and Pakistani citizens dependent on cross-border movement. The economic fallout extends beyond local businesses to regional trade corridors, hampering Afghanistan’s fragile economy.

The human cost is equally severe, with families separated, medical patients stranded, and border communities living under the constant threat of conflict. The burden of these hostilities is borne not by decision-makers but by ordinary Afghans and Pakistanis.

Also See: Torkham Border Closure: A Challenge for People, Not Just States

Terrorism: A Shared Threat, AIG’s Inaction

Terrorist groups such as TTP and ISKP (Islamic State Khorasan Province) continue to operate freely inside Afghanistan, undermining regional security. Their presence in strategically vital areas jeopardizes not just Pakistan’s stability but also Afghanistan’s aspirations for regional connectivity and economic integration.

The Afghan Interim Government seeks legitimacy from the international community, including regional powers like China and Russia. However, unless concrete steps are taken against groups like TTP and ISKP, gaining global recognition remains a distant goal.

Path to Stability: Diplomacy Over Conflict

While Pakistan remains committed to dialogue, provocations at the border will not deter its counterterrorism efforts. Stability in the region requires genuine cooperation, not strategic deflection.

For the Afghan Interim Government, the choice is clear: prioritize regional peace and economic progress or risk further isolation. The region cannot afford another prolonged crisis, and the onus is on Kabul to uphold its commitments rather than fueling tensions.