Monitoring Desk
Trade and medical emergency movements resumed at the Torkham border on Wednesday after nearly a month-long closure, following ten days of intense shuttle diplomacy led by tribal elders from both Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The reopening ceremony, held at the zero point, saw delegates from both sides meeting briefly before allowing stranded vehicles to cross. Ambulances carrying critically ill Afghan patients were also present at the crossing, while Pakistani traffic police worked to manage the heavy rush of transporters eager to move before sunset.
Diplomatic Breakthrough and Tribal Mediation
Pakistani sources revealed that Afghan representatives first stepped onto Pakistani soil before Pakistani officials reciprocated by crossing into Afghanistan, symbolizing goodwill.
During the ceremony, Younas Momand of the Afghan Chamber of Commerce and Industries and Shah Khalid Shinwari, Tehsil Chairman of Landi Kotal, stressed the need to keep the border permanently open and resolve future disputes through consultations. They urged both sides to honor their written and verbal commitments while discouraging negative propaganda.
Following their addresses, jirga (tribal delegation) members offered collective prayers, exchanged hugs, and shared bouquets as a sign of restored cooperation. Trade resumed immediately, with a coal-laden Afghan truck entering Pakistan, while a cement-loaded vehicle crossed into Afghanistan.
Border Talks and Agreement
Earlier in the day, border security officials from both countries met and agreed to halt new construction activities near the zero point until a permanent resolution is reached. Initially, vehicular traffic and emergency medical cases were prioritized, with regular pedestrian movement expected to resume in the coming days.
Backdoor diplomatic channels between Peshawar and Jalalabad played a crucial role in brokering the deal, alongside two rounds of jirga negotiations. The first round took place at Torkham on March 7, while the decisive second session on March 17 at Afghanistan’s customs office (Gumruk) secured a breakthrough agreement.
Economic Impact of the Closure
The Torkham crossing, one of the busiest trade routes between Pakistan and Afghanistan, was abruptly shut down on February 20 following tensions over an Afghan security check post’s construction near the zero point. The situation escalated into a three-day armed skirmish between border forces on March 3 before diplomatic intervention halted hostilities.
Pakistani traders estimate that the closure resulted in a revenue loss of $40.5 million, with Pakistan suffering Rs545 million in daily losses due to the import ban from Afghanistan. Before the shutdown, bilateral trade via Torkham had surged from 350 to nearly 800 trucks per day.
With the border now operational, stakeholders on both sides hope that trade and diplomatic engagements will prevent such disruptions in the future.
