11,000 Afghans cross Torkham border on second day

LANDIKOTAL: The Torkham border remained open on the second consecutive day on Wednesday to facilitate the stranded Afghan nationals to go back to their country.

A senior security official told The News that around 11,000 Afghans went back to Afghanistan on the second day. He said that on the first day, 12,500 Afghan nationals had crossed the border. The official said a total of 750 Pakistani nationals entered Pakistan via Torkham border during the last two days.

Security was tightened at the Torkham border to avoid law and order situation, the official said. However, trade activities with Afghanistan remained halted on the 20th day. Hundreds of loaded and empty trucks were seen parked on the both sides of the Torkham border.

Meanwhile, Awami National Party leader and prominent tribal elder Malik Darya Khan Zakhakhel has urged Islamabad and Kabul to resolve their bilateral and security issues through negotiations as traders and national exchequer have so far suffered billions of rupees losses in the past 19 days due to the border closure. Speaking at a press conference held in Landikotal Press Club, Darya Khan said that most of the trade between Pakistan, Afghanistan and Central Asian countries was being carried out by businessmen of Fata. He said due to inappropriate foreign policy, the rift between Pakistani and Afghan nationals was increasing day by day.