By Fazal Amin Shinwari
KHYBER: A massive protest rally was held in Landi Kotal against the prolonged closure of the Torkham border. Speakers warned that if the border is not reopened immediately, an indefinite sit-in blocking the Pak-Afghan Highway will be announced.
The public demonstration took place at Bacha Khan Chowk in Landi Kotal Bazaar, organized against the prolonged closure of the Torkham trade route. The protest was attended by tribal elders, traders, transporters, political and social activists, as well as local laborers from all three tehsils of Khyber District.
Addressing the gathering, Merajuddin Shinwari, Chairman of the All Torkham Customs Clearing Agents Political Alliance, alongside Hashem Afridi (President, Bazo Political Alliance), Amir Shah Faisal Afridi (Jamaat-e-Islami), Shah Hussain Shinwari (ANP Provincial Leader), Shah Khalid Shinwari (Tehsil Chairman), Mujeeb Shinwari, Murad Hussain Afridi, Asrar Shinwari, Tariq Afridi, Maulana Shuaib Qadri, and other key figures, voiced deep concern over the situation. They stated that ten months have passed since the border was closed, leaving thousands unemployed and millions suffering severe socio-economic distress.
Speakers criticized the silence of top government authorities, calling it regrettable. They specifically targeted the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, criticizing the provincial government’s failure to raise an effective voice regarding the border crisis. They asserted that if elected representatives lack the authority to resolve public issues, they ought to answer to the public or step down.
Furthermore, speakers questioned why the Torkham border issue is not being effectively raised during sessions of the National Assembly and high-level meetings, criticizing officials for relying merely on social media statements and video messages rather than concrete action.
Highlighting the economic damage, speakers pointed out that despite having multiple senators, a National Assembly member, a provincial minister, and a provincial governor belonging to Khyber District, the local population is forced to suffer for necessities. They added that voters are being punished for supporting Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), as elected officials have turned a blind eye after being sent to parliament.
The demonstrators demanded the immediate reopening of the Torkham border to restore livelihoods and resolve the region’s economic crisis. They warned that failure to reopen the border promptly will result in an indefinite protest sit-in on the main Pak-Afghan Highway.
