Relief For Pakistan! Torkham Border Reopens After 25-Day Closure, Reviving Pak-Afghan Trade

The Torkham border, a vital trade and transit link between Pakistan and Afghanistan, reopened on Wednesday after a 25-day closure, bringing relief to traders, travelers, and local communities on both sides.

The crossing, shut since February 21 due to a border dispute, resumed operations at 9 a.m. following successful diplomatic talks between Pakistani and Afghan officials, restoring a lifeline for bilateral commerce and movement.

The closure stemmed from tensions over Afghan forces constructing a post within Pakistani territory, prompting Pakistan to seal the border. This led to weeks of standoffs, including intermittent exchanges of fire, with one Afghan security personnel killed and others injured. Over 5,000 trucks, laden with perishable goods like fruits and vegetables, were stranded, causing daily trade losses estimated at $3 million by customs officials.

The Pak-Afghan Joint Chamber of Commerce reported a staggering $60 million hit to bilateral trade, with Pakistan’s strategic trade corridor potential at risk as Afghan transit trade increasingly shifts to Iran.

Local tribesmen in Khyber district and Nangarhar protesters had demanded the border’s reopening, citing economic hardship and restricted access to medical care. Jirga meetings, culminating in a ceasefire agreement, paved the way for Wednesday’s resumption. Afghan officials agreed to dismantle the disputed construction, with a Joint Coordination Committee meeting planned to ensure stability.

Transit trade restarted at 4 p.m., with passenger movement set to resume Friday once damaged documentation systems are restored.

The reopening is a boon for the region, where Torkham facilitates around 10,000 daily crossings. However, underlying tensions persist, with Pakistan accusing the Taliban of harboring militants—a charge Kabul denies.

As trade flows resume, both nations face the challenge of balancing security concerns with economic interdependence, critical to the livelihoods of millions along this historic Khyber Pass route.