ISLAMABAD (PEN) : The Pakistan-Afghanistan border at Torkham has been closed for the second consecutive day amid rising tensions between the two nations, creating serious disruptions for both travelers and businesses. The closure, which began on Saturday, has left hundreds of passengers stranded, including women and children, with no clear timeline for when the border will reopen.
Sources report that the closure has halted trade and suspended pedestrian movement, leaving many in a state of uncertainty. On the first day of the closure, travelers were left waiting for hours, some even forced to spend the night at the border under difficult conditions, without knowing when they would be able to cross.
A large crowd of passengers gathered outside the immigration center, hoping for clearance to continue their journeys, but no official announcements or negotiations have taken place regarding the reopening of the border. For many, the prolonged closure has meant missed opportunities, and businesses have been hit hard, with trucks carrying goods stuck on both sides of the border.
Qari Nazim Gul Shinwari, a member of the Torkham Customs Association and leader of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI), expressed deep concerns about the financial impact of the border closure. He stated that frequent border shutdowns result in millions of rupees in losses for both countries, urging both sides to resolve their issues through dialogue. He called for more compassion, particularly for patients, women, and children, who are most affected by the halt in movement.
The closure follows an escalation of tensions between Pakistani and Afghan forces over the construction of a bunker by Afghan troops near Zero-Point, a disputed area along the border. Security sources revealed that Afghan forces had attempted to build a bunker in the contested region, prompting a response from Pakistan’s Frontier Corps (FC). In reaction to the rising tensions, both sides have reinforced their positions along the border, and Pakistani authorities relocated customs, immigration, and police officials from Torkham Bazaar to Landikotal as a precautionary measure.
As both sides take defensive positions, the situation has raised fears of an armed clash, further intensifying the strain between the neighboring countries. The Torkham border, a vital trade route that connects the two nations, has been frequently disrupted by such tensions, severely affecting the economies of both countries.
The closure of the border not only disrupts daily life for travelers but also compounds the challenges faced by businesses that rely on this critical crossing point for the movement of goods. As negotiations remain stalled and the situation remains tense, many are left hoping for a swift resolution to prevent further economic losses and human suffering.
