Afghanistan Peace CampaignMeanwhile, the closure of the Torkham crossing by Pakistan has now entered its eighteenth day.
After Sunday’s (yesterday’s) unsuccessful negotiations to reopen the Torkham crossing, efforts to initiate new discussions are ongoing.
Younus Mohmand, the first deputy of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment, stated that recent meetings with Pakistani representatives have yielded no agreement. However, efforts continue to start new talks and invite officials from Pakistan’s chambers of commerce to Afghanistan.
According to Mohmand, this time the goal is to have Pakistani trade officials travel to Afghanistan and continue discussions on the matter.
Younus Mohmand told TOLOnews: “If possible, in the next meeting, they will come to Afghanistan, and another meeting will be held at the border. We will share our two- or three-day report with provincial officials and with the governor to get their permission.”
Meanwhile, the closure of the Torkham crossing by Pakistan has now entered its eighteenth day.
According to Mohmand, the continued closure of Torkham causes daily losses of over three million dollars for traders on both sides.
“On the Pakistani side, at the zero point between Afghanistan and Pakistan, a jirga (council) was held, and Pakistanis made three requests, which their elders shared with Afghan elders. However, no action has been taken so far to determine whether Pakistan’s demands will be accepted to reopen the gate,” Zalmai Azimi, one of the traders, told TOLOnews.
Some analysts believe Pakistan uses crossing closures as a tool to pressure Afghanistan’s interim government.
“The closure of Torkham puts economic pressure on the people of Afghanistan, Central Asia, and Pakistan. In such circumstances, economic and trade matters should remain entirely separate from politics,” said Fazl Rahman Oria, a political analyst.
“Pakistan aims to gradually exert pressure on Afghanistan to gain political and geopolitical advantages,” said Moeen Gul Samkanai, another political analyst.
Eighteen days ago, when Islamic Emirate forces were constructing facilities on this side of the hypothetical Durand Line, Pakistan closed the Torkham crossing to all movement. This led to clashes between the two sides at Torkham.