On February 22, 2025, the Torkham border, a crucial trade and transit route between Pakistan and Afghanistan, was closed once again. This latest closure, now entering its fourth consecutive day, has caused widespread disruption. As is often the case in recent years, the immediate effects are felt most acutely by the people on both sides of the border—thousands of travelers remain stranded, local businesses are paralyzed, and families are left in uncertainty. While these border shutdowns are framed as necessary security measures or diplomatic moves between governments, the real consequences are borne by the ordinary citizens who live in the border regions.
Also See: Afghanistan-Pakistan Trade and Economy: A Symbiotic Partnership
The Torkham Border: A Lifeline Interrupted
The Torkham crossing is not merely an administrative boundary; it is a vital lifeline for many communities. For traders, it is the main conduit for the exchange of goods; for families, it connects loved ones separated by the artificial lines drawn by history. On the first day of this latest closure, women, children, and the elderly were left stranded, forced to sleep in makeshift shelters while waiting for news of when the border would reopen. Local markets, which depend on cross-border trade, came to a halt, and transporters voiced frustration at the lack of clear communication from both governments. As goods piled up on either side, businesses feared severe losses, and the disruption started to take a tangible economic toll.
Qari Nazim Gul Shinwari, a member of the Torkham Customs Association, spoke about the financial impact, estimating that businesses are losing millions every day due to the closure. He highlighted how such disruptions create an atmosphere of uncertainty and mistrust between Pakistan and Afghanistan, even as both countries have strategic reasons for their border policies. However, it is the everyday people who bear the most significant consequences.
Pakistan’s Concerns: Security and Militancy
From Pakistan’s perspective, the frequent border closures are primarily driven by national security concerns. The Torkham border serves as not only a trade route but also a potential entry point for militants, drug traffickers, and other illegal elements. Over the years, Pakistan has voiced its concerns about the porous nature of the border, which extremist groups have exploited to carry out attacks. The Pakistani government argues that controlling the Torkham crossing is essential for safeguarding its territory and preventing infiltration from hostile elements, particularly from areas in Afghanistan where the central government’s control is tenuous.
These security fears are not unfounded. Extremist groups have long operated along the border, and there have been numerous incidents in which attacks launched from Afghan territory have affected Pakistani civilians. Despite the tightening of border controls, Pakistan remains frustrated by what it perceives as insufficient efforts from Afghan authorities to prevent cross-border militancy. Afghanistan’s inability to fully manage its rugged border regions has allowed insurgent groups to slip through and launch attacks across the border.
Afghanistan’s Concerns: Sovereignty and Identity
For Afghanistan, the Torkham border is not just a security issue; it is deeply tied to national sovereignty and a historical grievance. Afghanistan has never fully recognized the Durand Line, the colonial-era border drawn by the British in the 19th century to divide British India and Afghanistan. This border divides ethnic Pashtun populations on both sides and has been a source of ongoing tension. Afghanistan views the Durand Line as an arbitrary colonial imposition that has never been accepted and considers it a painful reminder of its territorial loss.
Afghanistan also faces significant challenges in effectively managing the border. In recent years, the Afghan government has struggled to assert authority over areas near the border, leaving them vulnerable to insurgent activities. Skirmishes, such as the one that occurred over the construction of a security post at Zero Point, only deepen these tensions. Afghan forces recently built a new post in Nangarhar province without consulting Pakistani authorities, escalating the situation and leading to a standoff between Pakistani and Afghan forces. Both sides have blamed each other for the lack of coordination, which ultimately led to the closure of the border.
The Real Cost: The People Suffer
While the political and security concerns are critical, it is important to remember that the real cost of the Torkham border closures is borne by the people living in these border regions. The closures, though often politically motivated, have devastating effects on ordinary Pakistanis and Afghans. The Torkham crossing is a lifeline for thousands of families who depend on it for healthcare, education, and emotional support.
For refugees, many of whom fled Afghanistan due to ongoing conflict and found shelter in Pakistan, the closure of the border only adds to their struggles. The uncertainty surrounding the border policies leaves them trapped between two countries with shifting and unpredictable rules. Additionally, many border residents rely on cross-border trade to make ends meet. When the border is closed, markets collapse, and traders lose critical income. The Torkham crossing is a vital artery for the exchange of goods, and its disruption causes immediate, wide-reaching consequences for local economies.
Why Has This Issue Remained Unresolved?
The Torkham border issue, while framed primarily in terms of security and sovereignty, is more deeply rooted in a lack of communication and coordination between the two governments. Despite shared interests in combating terrorism, facilitating trade, and ensuring regional stability, Pakistan and Afghanistan have repeatedly failed to resolve the underlying issues. The border is often closed not just because of security threats but also due to political maneuvering, historical grievances, and a profound lack of trust between the two sides.
Both governments must recognize that the Torkham issue is not solely a matter of politics or security. It is also a humanitarian issue, with real consequences for the people who live in the borderlands. The ongoing cycle of closures and the absence of a long-term resolution have only deepened the suffering of those who live in these areas.
A Call for Resolution: Brothers in Need
Pakistan and Afghanistan share a long and complex history, but they are, at the core, brother countries. Their fates are intertwined, and their future depends on mutual cooperation, trust, and understanding. Despite the challenges and historical differences, the people of both countries have coexisted for centuries. It is now time for the governments to put aside their political differences and focus on the wellbeing of their people.
Pakistan has long been a generous host to millions of Afghan refugees, providing shelter, education, and healthcare during times of crisis. This generosity should not be forgotten, and it should form the foundation for a renewed commitment to peace and resolution.
The people of both countries have suffered enough from the recurring border closures. The political and security concerns surrounding the Torkham crossing will not vanish overnight, but they can be addressed through dialogue, communication, and mutual trust. Both governments must acknowledge that their true strength lies not in militarizing the border but in prioritizing the needs and well-being of their people.
The real challenge is not just about state-level negotiations; it is about compassion, cooperation, and the common good. The governments of Pakistan and Afghanistan must set aside their political differences and work together to resolve the Torkham border issue in a way that benefits their citizens. Only then can the Torkham crossing become a symbol of unity and cooperation, rather than division and hardship.
Ongoing Negotiations and the Path Ahead
According to sources, negotiations between the two neighboring countries at Torkham’s Zero Point remain inconclusive, with tensions rising over the construction of a new border security post by Afghan authorities. The border was closed on the night of February 20, 2025, following the construction of the post in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province without prior consultation with Pakistan, violating previously agreed-upon protocols.
Diplomatic talks resumed on February 23, 2025, but no resolution has been reached so far. In the meantime, trucks carrying essential trade goods are stranded along the Torkham-Landikotal Road, and some vehicles with perishable goods have been sent back to Peshawar. Other vehicles are parked at the border terminal, waiting for a resolution. Hundreds of passengers, including traders and patients, remain stranded, facing considerable hardship.
Efforts to de-escalate tensions are ongoing, and both sides are expected to resume talks soon. However, the closure underscores the need for long-term solutions to prevent further disruptions and ensure that the people who depend on the Torkham crossing for their livelihoods are not left stranded in the midst of political and security disputes.
