Ashrafuddin Pirzada
LANDIKOTAL: Labourers, traders, political leaders, and civil society members organized a peace rally in Landikotal Bazaar on Saturday, urging Pakistan and Afghanistan to come to the table for talks and resolve the issue through negotiations. The Torkham border closure entered its 15th day, disrupting trade and daily life on both sides of the border.
The closure of the key border crossing has severely disrupted trade and movement, leaving thousands of people, including patients, women, children, and elderly men, stranded for the last two weeks under the open sky in chilly weather.
Traders, transporters and daily wage workers have been particularly affected, as they rely on cross-border business for their livelihoods. Protesters at the rally urged both governments to put aside their differences and reopen the crossing immediately to prevent further suffering.
Reports from the border area suggested that hostilities between the security forces of the two countries continued on Saturday, with both sides using heavy weapons to target each other’s positions. The fresh escalation has deepened concerns over regional stability and the impact of ongoing tensions on local communities.
Traders participating in the rally lamented the heavy financial losses they have suffered due to the border closure. Many trucks loaded with perishable goods, including fruits and vegetables, remain stranded on both sides, resulting in massive spoilage. They warned that if the issue is not resolved soon, businesses in the region could face irreparable damage.
Daily wage workers, especially porters and transporters, have been the hardest hit, as they have lost their only source of income.
“We earn daily, and if the border remains closed, our families will go hungry,” said a local labourer who participated in the demonstration. Others called for an immediate resolution, emphasizing that the suffering of ordinary people must not be ignored.
Political leaders from the region also joined the rally, calling on both Islamabad and Kabul to de-escalate tensions and resume trade and pedestrian movement. They highlighted that thousands of Afghans rely on the Torkham crossing to seek medical treatment in Pakistan, and its prolonged closure could have serious humanitarian consequences.
Civil society activists stressed the importance of peaceful negotiations and urged both governments to engage in diplomatic talks.
“War and conflict only bring destruction. We appeal to both governments to prioritize dialogue and mutual understanding over aggression,” said one activist addressing the crowd.
Residents of Landikotal and nearby areas expressed growing frustration over the situation, stating that the frequent border closures and clashes have made life uncertain for those living near the crossing. Many urged the authorities to take immediate steps to ensure that such disruptions do not occur in the future.
Security analysts have warned that continued military engagement at the border could further strain already fragile relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan. They emphasized the need for both countries to address their differences through diplomatic channels instead of resorting to force.
The situation at Torkham remains tense, with no official announcement regarding the reopening of the border.
Meanwhile, affected communities continue to demand urgent intervention to prevent further economic losses and humanitarian crises in the region.
Several philanthropists and civil society organizations, including Naujawanan-e-Qabail daily, provide food, water and other stuff to those stranded in Torkham and Landikotal. Most of the Afghan passengers reside in mosques and male guest Houses with Landikotal residents, waiting for the reopening of the border.
