Torkham Border between Pakistan, Afghanistan remains closed for trade over visa restrictions

The Torkham border crossing, vital for trade and transit between Pakistan and Afghanistan, has remained closed for the third consecutive day due to an ongoing dispute over document rules for commercial truck drivers.

The closure has resulted in numerous trucks stranded on both sides. Situated in Pakistan’s Khyber District and Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province, the Torkham crossing is crucial for trade, transit, and travel between the neighboring nations.

READ MORE: Crossing borders for love: Pakistani woman’s journey to meet Indian man from PUBG

The closure stems from Pakistani authorities restricting Afghan truck drivers and their assistants from entering without proper passport and visa documents. The issue has yet to be discussed at a high level. Afghan customs clearing agents reported that Taliban border officials reciprocated by preventing Pakistani trucks from entering Afghanistan, heightening tensions.

Hajji Usman from the Nangarhar Chamber of Commerce and Industry stated that both Torkham and Ghulam Khan border crossings have been closed since Friday, with new restrictions imposed by Pakistani authorities on Afghan truck drivers. Long queues of vehicles carrying perishable goods are stranded on both sides, resulting in significant losses for traders and both countries’ economies.

The abrupt closure has halted trade activities, and there are concerns that the border could remain shut for an extended period. Some truckers are considering diverting their perishable cargo back to Peshawar for storage. The uncertainty surrounding the border situation is discouraging to traders and transporters.

The strained relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have contributed to the ongoing disputes, with Islamabad accusing the Taliban government of not addressing militants staging attacks on Pakistan from Afghan soil. The Torkham crossing experienced frequent closures last year, occasionally leading to armed clashes between border guards.