Pak-Afghan border crossing at Kharlachi reopens after six months

By Tahir Khan

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan-Afghanistan border at Kharlachi has reopened for trade after a six-month closure, Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Ambassador Mohammad Sadiq, said on Friday.

The border crossing had been shut down due to violent incidents in Kurram district, as commercial trucks were unable to reach the area following the closure of the main Parachinar-Peshawar road.

“Trade activities with Afghanistan have resumed through the Kharlachi terminal, which was previously closed due to road closure in Parachinar,” Ambassador Sadiq posted on X. He also shared a video showing a vehicle crossing the border.

The Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PAJCCI) senior vice-president welcomed the reopening.

Kharlachi border in-charge Major Moeez told media in Kurram that trade through the terminal officially resumed on May 9, following successful efforts by the district administration, provincial authorities, security forces, and tribal elders. He said the move serves the interests of both countries.

Customs in-charge Alauddin added that the reopening would boost foreign exchange and is mutually beneficial for Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Also read: Pahalgam attack — implications on Pak-Afghan relations

Tribal elder Islam Ali and other local leaders present at the border said the reopening would help put Kurram district on the path to development, benefiting both traders and labourers from the border regions of both countries.

Ali Hadi Irfani, a member of the Provincial Assembly from Kurram, termed the move a wise decision. “At a time when tensions with India have closed Pakistan’s eastern borders, reopening the Kharlachi border is in the best interest of both nations,” he said.

Pakistan’s special envoy lands in Kabul

Ambassador Mohammad Sadiq arrived in Kabul on Friday for talks with Afghan Taliban officials and to participate in a trilateral meeting involving Pakistan, China, and Afghanistan.

Official sources told HUM News English that the meeting will focus on regional issues, trade, diplomatic relations, and security cooperation. Sadiq’s office said the dialogue aims to enhance communication and coordination among the three countries for Afghanistan’s peace and stability.

Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi will represent the Islamic Emirate, while Chinese Special Envoy on Afghan Affairs Yue Xiaoyong will represent China.

The last trilateral meeting was held on the sidelines of the fifth Moscow Format Consultations on Afghanistan in Kazan, Russia, on September 29, 2023.

Sources said participants will explore cooperation in security, development, and political domains, based on principles of mutual respect, equal consultation, and shared benefit.

Previous meetings between the three countries at the foreign minister level produced commitments to coordinate on security, combat organised crime and drug smuggling, and called on the international community to strengthen both bilateral and multilateral cooperation. They also urged the provision of essential supplies, equipment, and technical support to countries in the region.

“Pakistan will raise the issue of the TTP, which remains one of the country’s most pressing security concerns,” an official source said.

The three sides have previously agreed not to allow any individual or group—including the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM)—to use their territories for activities that threaten regional security or conduct terrorist operations.

The Kabul meeting had been planned nearly four months ago but was postponed until after the visit of Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar to Afghanistan.

This round of talks will serve as a follow-up to previous discussions held under the trilateral foreign ministers’ mechanism. So far, five such meetings have been held across different locations, focusing on deepening political and economic collaboration.

Angoor Adda border crossing to reopen soon

The Angoor Adda border crossing with Afghanistan is expected to reopen soon after an 18-month closure, a representative of traders from South Waziristan said on Friday.

Saif ur Rehman, a leader of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, told HUM News English that tribal elders and business representatives met in Wana to discuss plans for the reopening of the strategic trade route.