Afghanistan Peace CampaignOn the other hand, several passengers and drivers have expressed happiness over the reopening and called for more facilities at the crossing.
The Torkham crossing has reopened for transit after being closed for nearly a month. Local officials said both sides also agreed to fully reopen the crossing for all types of movement on Friday of this week.
The closure of this crossing not only posed serious challenges for travelers and emergency patients but also inflicted millions of dollars in losses on traders from both sides.
Abdul Jabar Hikmat, the Torkham commissioner, stated: “After several meetings, this route was reopened for freight trucks at 4:00 PM. As the systems at the crossing are down, it will open for passengers and patients on Friday.”
Following the reopening, Mohammad Younus Mohmand, deputy of the chamber of commerce and investment, said: “This route should never be closed. It is a commercial and transit route, and the committee that contributed to reopening the crossing will continue its efforts and provide good recommendations to both governments.”
Meanwhile, traders and investors say the closure of the Torkham crossing caused them millions of dollars in losses. They demand the separation of trade activities from political issues.
Ghulam Mustafa Rahimi, head of the Nangarhar chamber of commerce and investment secretariat, told TOLOnews: “This route should not fall victim to politics. Trade is free worldwide, and ports should not face restrictions.”
Abdul Wali Babakarkhail, deputy of the Nangarhar chamber of commerce and investment, commented on the losses: “Traders from both countries lost more than a million dollars daily. Now that it has been 27 days, imagine how high the total losses are.”
Pakistan closed the Torkham crossing 27 days ago in response to the construction of facilities by Islamic Emirate forces near the disputed hypothetical Durand Line.
On the other hand, several passengers and drivers have expressed happiness over the reopening and called for more facilities at the crossing.
“This route should never be closed; it must always remain open. When it’s blocked, all goods, including fruits and vegetables, spoil on both sides,” said Aminullah, one of the drivers.
This comes after multiple skirmishes occurred between Islamic Emirate forces and Pakistani soldiers following the border closure, which left hundreds of families displaced.