Pak-Afghan Torkham border partially reopens after 25 days 

PESHAWAR: The Torkham border between Pakistan and Afghanistan has been partially reopened for heavy vehicles after being closed for 25 days.

Following the resumption of trade activities, the first vehicle from Pakistan crossed into Afghanistan. 

Vehicles carrying patients have also been allowed to be passed, while general public movement will be allowed starting on Friday. 

A flag meeting between border forces was held on Wednesday following a jirga meeting of tribal elders, religious scholars and traders from both countries.

After the meeting, arrangements were immediately made to reopen the border. 

Official sources said that Pakistani Customs staff had been instructed to report for duty, while work on the repair of a scanner in the FIA container for pedestrian crossings had started and once the scanner was operational, pedestrian movement would also resume. 

During the closure of the border, local elders, religious scholars and representatives from the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce held two formal meetings with Afghan counterparts, proposing confidence-building measures to reopen the border. 

Pakistani delegation members Malik Tajuddin and Shah Khalid Shinwari said that Afghan authorities were urged to observe a ceasefire, halt construction at the disputed site and reopen the border. Afghan officials sought time twice to consult with their government in Kabul, and finally, the flag meeting between border forces led to the reopening of the crossing. 

Also read: Pakistan, Afghan fail to agree on Torkham border’s reopening

The prolonged closure caused significant hardship for residents and traders. Business owners bore heavy financial losses, as goods and vehicles remained stranded on both side of the border.

Local leader Malik Tajuddin told the BBC that the closure resulted in a daily export loss of $2.5 million and an import loss of Rs500 million. He noted that the border is a lifeline for many, stating, “Since childhood, I have seen that when the border is open, life flourishes; when it closes, everything comes to a standstill.”

The closure impacts not only large traders and industrialists but also small businesses and daily wage labourers. 

What Led to Torkham Border Closure? 

Tensions at the Pakistan-Afghanistan border began on September 22 when construction started on a checkpoint on the Afghan side. Pakistan objected, claiming that the post was being built in a disputed area, which escalated tensions and led to an exchange of fire as both sides used heavy and small arms. 

Three Pakistani personnel were injured in the clashes, while reports suggested casualties on the Afghan side, though they were not officially confirmed. 

According to government sources, Pakistan targeted six Afghan border posts — Jangal Post, Commando Post, Barrage Post, Khwara Post, Shiraz Post, and Khamsari Post. One of these posts remains disputed, with Pakistan asserting that it was being constructed within its territory. 

Due to the clashes, residents of the border village Bacha Mena evacuated, seeking refuge with relatives in Landi Kotal. 

The tensions at Torkham emerged at a time when the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government was initiating efforts to send delegations for confidence-building measures with Afghanistan. The provincial government believes meaningful negotiations with Afghanistan are essential to curb ongoing violence in the region.