The Pak-Afghan Torkham Border has officially reopened for traffic and trade following successful negotiations, bringing an end to a 25-day closure that severely impacted business activities on both sides.
Trade activities have also resumed at the border after 25 days.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur praised the efforts of the jirga members, acknowledging their role in the successful negotiations. He emphasized that the prolonged closure, especially during Ramadan, had not only caused difficulties for traders and the common person, but also led to billions of rupees in losses for the government treasury. The reopening was especially crucial ahead of Eidul Fitr, ensuring smooth trade operations.
With the border reopening, 12,000 freight vehicles that had been stranded for weeks on both sides of the border have now started moving, allowing the resumption of bilateral trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan. The business of thousands of people had been affected by the border closure, which has now been restored with the reopening.
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Security sources also confirmed that the border has been opened for patients, while foot traffic will be allowed after two days.
Members of the jirga, formed for negotiations with Afghanistan regarding the opening of Torkham border, met with Chief Minister Gandapur. It included traders from merged districts and representatives of the Chambers of Commerce and Industries, led by Syed Jawad Hussain Kazmi, president of the Khyber Chambers of Commerce and Industries. The IGFC North was also credited for his efforts in facilitating the resolution.
The reopening decision was finalized in a brief flag meeting between jirga members from both countries at Zero Point, after which freight vehicles began crossing the border.
The Torkham border was originally closed on February 21 due to rising tensions, disrupting trade and the livelihoods of thousands. Gandapur reaffirmed the government’s commitment to collaborative problem-solving, ensuring that such disruptions are handled effectively in the future.
