Ashrafuddin Pirzada
TORKHAM: The Pak-Afghan border at Torkham remained closed for trade activities and pedestrian movement for the 14th consecutive day due to ongoing tensions, official sources said on Friday.
Authorities said the prolonged closure had severely impacted trade, travel and daily life for thousands of people on both sides of the border.
Border officials said that over the past 13 days, multiple clashes between Pakistani and Afghan security forces have led to an intermittent exchange of gunfire. They said the tensions escalated following disagreements over border management and security protocols, with both sides reinforcing their positions.
The skirmishes created an atmosphere of uncertainty, affecting not only traders and transporters but also residents.
The closure has resulted in massive financial losses for businesses, transporters and daily wage earners who depend on cross-border trade. Hundreds of cargo trucks carrying perishable goods, including fresh fruits and vegetables, remain stranded on both sides, leading to spoilage and economic distress.
Many Pakistani and Afghan traders have expressed frustration over the continued deadlock. Trade experts and customs officials said around three million dollars in trade usually takes place via the Torkham border every day. They said not only traders but national exchequers of both countries receive a huge amount of losses every day due to the border closure.
On the other hand, thousands of Afghan nationals seeking medical treatment in Pakistan have been left stranded, with some patients reportedly facing critical health conditions.
Similarly, Pakistani workers and families who frequently cross the border for work or family visits have been unable to travel. The humanitarian impact of the closure has been a growing concern for rights organizations.
Security sources confirmed that gunfire between the two sides had ceased yesterday, and the situation at the border is now under control.
However, authorities remained on high alert, and heavy security deployment continues at the border crossing. To prevent any further security incidents, Pakistani officials have cleared the border terminal of vehicles and moved all cargo trucks to Landikotal and Jamrud, sources confirmed.
Several rounds of diplomatic talks between Pakistani and Afghan officials have taken place over the past two weeks, but so far, no agreement has been reached to reopen the crossing.
Both sides have maintained their respective positions, with Afghan authorities insisting on certain border facilitation measures and Pakistan prioritizing security concerns.
The business community and trade associations have urged both governments to find an immediate resolution, emphasizing that the prolonged closure is damaging bilateral trade and impacting regional economic stability. They have also called on international bodies to intervene and mediate a peaceful resolution.
Residents and truck drivers who have been stuck at the border for days have expressed their frustration, stating that they are suffering due to political disputes beyond their control. Some have set up makeshift camps near the border, while others have returned to their home cities, uncertain of when trade and travel will resume.
Pakistan and Afghanistan share a long and complex history of border disputes, and Torkham has frequently been a flashpoint for tensions. In recent years, similar closures have disrupted trade and movement, highlighting the need for a more structured and diplomatic approach to border management.
As of now, there is no official confirmation regarding when the border could be reopened. Authorities on both sides continue negotiations, but traders, travelers, and local communities remain on edge, hoping for a swift resolution to restore normalcy at one of the region’s most crucial border crossings.
