LANDIKOTAL: The Torkham border crossing remained closed for the fifth consecutive day on Wednesday, bringing all trade and travel between Pakistan and Afghanistan to a halt, officials confirmed.
The closure, caused by tensions over construction in disputed areas, has severely disrupted cross-border movement.
According to customs officials, the suspension of trade over the past four days has resulted in an estimated loss of $12 million. Meanwhile, immigration authorities revealed that nearly 10,000 people cross the Torkham border daily, leaving thousands stranded on both sides due to the closure.
Mujeeb Khan Shinwari, President of the Torkham Customs Clearing Agents Association, stated that multiple rounds of negotiations had taken place between Pakistani and Afghan border officials.
He further mentioned that Customs Collector Mateen Alam was also involved in the discussions and expressed optimism that an agreement had been reached to reopen the border soon.
The closure has particularly impacted local traders and daily wage earners. Qari Nazeem Gul, a local trader, highlighted that around 800 daily wage workers rely on the crossing for their livelihoods, many of whom are now struggling due to the extended shutdown.
Officials remain hopeful that trade and pedestrian movement will resume soon, pending final clearance from both sides.
The Torkham border was sealed on Saturday (February 22) after tensions escalated between Pakistani and Afghan forces over the construction of a bunker by Afghan forces near Zero-Point.
According to security sources, Afghan forces attempted to construct a bunker in a disputed area near the border, prompting a response from Pakistan’s Frontier Corps (FC).
Both sides have reinforced their positions, with Pakistani authorities relocating customs, immigration, and police officials from Torkham Bazaar to Landikotal as a precautionary measure.
As both countries take defensive positions, concerns of an armed confrontation have increased.
The Torkham crossing, a critical trade route, frequently experiences such disruptions, significantly affecting economic activities in both Pakistan and Afghanistan.
