Tension over bunker: Torkham border remains closed as talks fail

LANDIKOTAL: The Torkham border crossing remained closed for the third consecutive day on Monday due to ongoing tension between Pakistani and Afghan authorities over the construction of a bunker on the Afghan side.

Despite negotiations between border officials from both countries, no breakthrough was achieved, prolonging the suspension of all movement, including passenger travel and cargo transport.

Sources said the closure had left thousands of passengers and trucks—both loaded and empty—stranded on either side of the border, causing daily losses worth millions of rupees to traders and the national exchequer.

Long queues of trucks carrying various goods stretched along the roads in Landikotal, while vehicles loaded with perishable items such as fresh fruits and vegetables were forced to return to Peshawar in search of alternative routes to Afghanistan.

The dispute erupted over Afghanistan’s construction of a bunker near the border, escalating tensions and leading to a complete halt of movement. Despite multiple rounds of negotiations, officials from both sides have been unable to resolve the issue.