Torkham border remains closed for second day

LANDIKOTAL/ JAMRUD: The Pak-Afghan border at Torkham remained closed for the second consecutive day on Sunday due to ongoing tension between the two countries, sources said.

They said that trade activities and pedestrian movement remained suspended, causing difficulties for travelers and businesses on both sides.

On the first day of the closure, hundreds of passengers, including women and children, were stranded as they waited for permission to cross the border. Many had to spend the night at the border with no clear information on when they would be allowed to proceed.

A large number of passengers gathered outside the immigration centre in Torkham, waiting for clearance to travel. However, there have been no negotiations or official announcements on the reopening of the border. The prolonged closure also affected trade with trucks carrying goods stuck on both sides, raising concerns among traders and transporters.

Torkham customs association member and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam leader Qari Nazim Gul Shinwari said frequent closure of the Torkham border caused losses to both countries. He stated that the closure of the Torkham border resulted in financial losses worth millions of rupees. He called for resolving issues through dialogue and urged authorities to allow patients, women and children to cross the border.