After 25 days of closure due to border tensions, Pakistan and Afghanistan have successfully reopened the Torkham trade route following a successful flag meeting between security officials of both nations.
According to security sources, the high-level flag meeting was held at the Afghan Customs House near the border on Wednesday, where both sides endorsed the decisions of the Pak-Afghan Jirga.
Under the agreement, cargo vehicles will now be allowed to cross, while Afghan patients in urgent need of medical treatment will also be granted passage.
However, pedestrian movement will remain suspended for two more days due to technical issues in the Torkham immigration system.
On February 21, tensions escalated when Afghan forces began unauthorised construction near the Torkham border, prompting Pakistan to suspend all cross-border movement.
Two days later, on February 23, Pakistani police officials confirmed the closure, citing the construction of trenches by Afghan authorities as the key reason.
The closure halted trade and pedestrian movement, leaving trucks stranded and families relocating for safety.
A Pak-Afghan Jirga on March 17 made a major breakthrough, agreeing to cease border hostilities, temporarily halt Afghan construction work, and resume trade through the Torkham border.
Pakistani Jirga member Jawad Hussain said that the Afghan delegation sought time to consult their authorities.
Meanwhile, officials from Pakistan’s Frontier Corps (FC) and Afghan authorities held meetings to finalise trade resumption, ultimately leading to today’s official reopening of the crossing.
Pakistan has long accused Afghanistan of harbouring militants who launch cross-border attacks, while Afghan authorities deny these allegations, blaming Pakistan’s internal security issues.
