Torkham border reopens after 25-day closure
Sources say people would be allowed to cross on foot from Friday onwards
The Pak-Afghan border at Torkham has reopened for travel after 25 days following successful negotiations. A jirga, comprising traders from merged districts and representatives of the Chambers of Commerce and Industries, played a key role in the talks with Afghan authorities.
Led by Syed Jawad Hussain Kazmi, President of the Khyber Chambers of Commerce and Industries, the jirga met Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, who was credited for his timely efforts in resolving the issue.
The closure had caused severe hardships for traders, industrialists, and the general public, with 12,000 freight vehicles stranded on both sides. The business community suffered significant financial losses, impacting thousands of livelihoods.
Chief Minister Gandapur emphasized the urgency of reopening the border, particularly with Eid-ul-Fitr approaching. He acknowledged the collective efforts that led to the resolution and assured continued cooperation to address similar challenges in the future.
The jirga members, including Haji Muhammad Yousuf Afridi, Haji Qadeerullah Wazir, Syed Hammad, Wajid Ali Shinwari, Haji Iqbal Khan, and Haji Latif, expressed gratitude for the Chief Minister’s intervention and efforts to restore cross-border trade.
