Torkham border crossing opens today

KABUL/PESHAWAR: The Torkham border at the Pakistan-Afghanistan border reopened today as Pakistan relaxed the travel document requirements until March 31, 2024.

According to local media reports, this decision follows the visit of a delegation of Afghan transporters and representatives to meet with Pakistani trade officials at Pakistan’s embassy in Kabul and requested the reopening of the Torkham border.

Initially, Pakistan had introduced new visa and passport requirements for drivers and their assistants, which Afghanistan rejected, leading to a discord between the two sides and the subsequent closure of trade through the crossing.

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Citing the impact on trade, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and chamber of commerce delegation engaged in discussions with Pakistani embassy staff to seek relaxation in visa requirements.

Pakistan has now accepted the request from Afghanistan and granted a relaxation for drivers until the end of March, according to the media reports.

The closure of the trade crossing had resulted in thousands of vehicles being stranded, carrying items such as vegetables, fruit, onion from Iran and Central Asia, as well as coal. During the closure, Pakistan’s exports to Afghanistan remained at zero, according to a customs official.

Afghanistan government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid has indicated that an agreement between both countries is near, and the public can expect positive news soon.

Currently, various border crossings, including Chaman, Angur Ada, Torkham, Ghulam Khan, and Kharlachi, are closed, causing a significant daily collective loss estimated at Rs 680 million for both sides. The closure has persisted for 10 days, impacting trade between the two countries.