Pakistan shuts Torkham border over Afghan internet ban

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Monday afternoon closed Torkham, the main crossing with Afghanistan, citing an internet shutdown on the Afghan side, a Pakistani official said.

However, an Afghan official claimed Pakistan had closed the border without providing any reason.

The border was initially shut for both passengers and cargo trucks but vehicles were later allowed to cross.

Qureshi Badloon, head of the Information Directorate in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province, confirmed the closure to HUM News English.

“Pakistan has closed the Torkham crossing to passengers for an unknown reason. We request all travelers on this route to refrain from traveling until further notice,” Badloon said.

No official statement was issued from Islamabad. But a local official in Khyber told reporters the closure was linked to an internet ban on the Afghan side.

“The Afghan officials were unable to work smoothly, so the border was shut,” the official said.

Badloon, however, disputed the claim and insisted internet services were available at Torkham.

Afghan officials in several provinces have confirmed a ban on optic fibers in around 15 provinces on the orders of the Taliban’s supreme leader.

The Taliban have not issued any official explanation, but some officials privately stated the ban was enforced “to prevent immoral activities.”

Sections of the Afghan media reported that traders have faced difficulties at customs houses in provinces bordering Pakistan and Iran, saying they cannot email clients and foreign companies.

The ban has also disrupted the banking system, as financial transactions cannot be carried out without internet access.

A shopkeeper on the Pakistani side told HUM News English that passengers were being allowed to leave Pakistan but Afghan authorities were preventing entry into Pakistan.

He said cargo trucks and passengers were initially stopped, but later vehicles were permitted to cross.

Tirah civilian deaths

Meanwhile, tribesmen in Khyber district on Monday staged a sit-in over the killing of more than 20 civilians, mostly women and children, in Tirah.

PTI MNA from Khyber, Iqbal Afridi, joined the protest and demanded an investigation.

A statement from the Chief Minister’s Secretariat said KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur met a delegation from the district following the incident, along with PTI lawmaker Afridi, the chief secretary, additional chief secretary (home), the Peshawar commissioner and other officials.

The meeting reviewed the law and order situation in the “context of the unfortunate incident” that occurred in Tirah.

“Martyrdom of civilians in the incident is regrettable and condemnable. Martyrdom of civilians as a result of operations against terrorists is unacceptable,” the statement quoted Gandapur as saying.