Ashrafuddin Pirzada
TORKHAM: The Pakistan-Afghanistan border at Torkham has remained closed for the past 18 days due to tensions over Afghan forces’ construction near the crossing amid the joint jirga is busy in negotiations to peacefully resolve the ongoing border closure issue, official sources said on Thursday.
The sources said that the joint jirga has maintained a ceasefire till a jirga decision with decisive negotiations set to take place today(Wednesday).
The conflict began when Afghan forces reportedly started building structures within Pakistani territory, prompting strong objections from Islamabad. Pakistani authorities viewed the construction as a violation of border agreements and demanded an immediate halt, leading to a tense standoff between security forces on both sides.
As tensions escalated, Pakistan deployed additional troops to the border, reinforcing its position against what it called an “unlawful” expansion by Afghan forces. In response, Afghan security personnel also increased their presence, further raising the risk of confrontation.
Both sides exchanged gunfire on the second day of the standoff, with several casualties reported. Both countries blamed each other for provoking the situation, with Afghan officials insisting that the construction was within their territory and Pakistan maintaining that it violated bilateral agreements.
As the standoff continued, trade and movement across the Torkham border came to a complete halt. Hundreds of cargo trucks carrying essential goods, including perishable food items, were stranded on both sides, causing massive financial losses to traders and businesses in both countries.
Pakistani authorities estimated that over $52 million in trade losses had occurred due to the border closure. Immigration officials reported that, on average, 10,000 people cross Torkham daily, many of whom were left stranded, including patients seeking medical treatment, students, and workers.
Amid growing concerns over the economic and humanitarian impact of the blockade, diplomatic efforts were launched to de-escalate tensions. Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed to form a joint jirga, comprising tribal elders, traders and officials from both sides to find a peaceful resolution to the crisis.
The jirga held its first meeting on the 15th day of the standoff, resulting in a temporary ceasefire. The Afghan delegation then traveled to Kabul and later to Jalalabad for consultations with senior Afghan officials before engaging in further negotiations with their Pakistani counterparts.
Pakistani jirga leader Syed Jawad Hussain Kazmi said that Pakistan had made it clear that the construction work must stop for talks to succeed. Afghan officials, however, sought additional time to discuss the issue with their leadership before making a final decision.
On Tuesday, the Afghan jirga continued discussions with their government in Jalalabad instead of meeting the Pakistani delegation as planned at Torkham. However, both sides have agreed to hold a final and decisive meeting at the Torkham border today(Wednesday).
Traders, transporters and residents on both sides of the border are anxiously awaiting the outcome of these talks, hoping for a resolution that would restore normal trade and movement. The Pakistani government has indicated that if Afghan forces agree to halt construction, the border could be reopened immediately.
With the ceasefire still holding, the final meeting is expected to be the turning point in this prolonged crisis. The outcome would determine whether the Torkham border reopens peacefully or if tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan escalate once again.
