Following an agreement reached by a tribal Jirga, the Pak-Afghan Torkham border is set to reopen today after being closed for 25 days.
The jirga has decided to halt disputed constructions and allow the Torkham trade route to resume operations.
Afghan Consul General Hafiz Mohibullah Shakir showed that the border could reopen within 48 to 72 hours and called for an extension for Afghan nationals wishing to return home.
He emphasized the importance of the upcoming Eid festival, stating it should not bring hardships to families.
The head of the Pakistani delegation at the Jirga talks, Syed Jawad Hussain Kazmi, confirmed that the trade route is expected to open today, as Afghan authorities have consented to stop the disputed construction.
A flag meeting is set to take place at the Torkham border today to finalize arrangements. Following the meeting, the trade route will reopen, and a ceasefire will remain in effect until the Joint Coordinating Committee (JCC) meeting is held.
Security officials have expressed approval of the Afghan authorities’ decision.
The closure of the Torkham border has had a major economic impact, resulting in a $1 billion decrease in the annual trade volume between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The border was shut three weeks ago due to rising tensions from construction activities by Afghan forces near the border.
This closure has disrupted all traffic, leading to an estimated daily loss of $300,000 and causing the annual trade volume between the two countries to drop from $2.5 billion to $1.5 billion.
