Jirga brokers deal on Torkham reopening
Members of Pakistani delegation arrive after holding talks with the Afghan side on the opening of the Torkham border crossing. Photo: Express
The Torkham border between Pakistan and Afghanistan is set to reopen on Tuesday (today) after successful talks during a jirga between designated religious, political, and tribal elders from both sides, the head of the Pakistani delegation announced on Monday.
Pakistan delegation head Syed Jawad Hussain Kazmi told The Express Tribune that the Afghan side also agreed to halt illegal construction, and both parties decided that any future construction at the disputed border point would only proceed with mutual consensus.
The Torkham border was closed on February 21 following rising tensions between the border forces of the two neighbouring countries due to unauthorized construction by Afghan authorities near the border, violating a prior agreement.
The situation escalated on March 4 when talks for reopening the crossing failed, leading to an exchange of fire between Pakistani security forces and the Afghan Taliban fighters. The clash resulted in the death of one Afghan border guard and injuries to two others.
The 24-day closure of the border had resulted in the suspension of all movements, affecting trade and travel. However, with the latest agreement, both sides appeared committed to resolving their differences and reopening the border for mutual benefit.
The latest round of talks was held at the Commissionery building on the Afghan side of the border. At the talks, the Pakistan side was led by Kazmi. "The two sides have agreed to the resumption of trade and people's crossing," Kazmi said.
"The Afghan side also agreed that illegal construction would also be halted on Afghan side, and the message of Islamabad would also be delivered to the authorities. The [Pak-Afghan] Joint Chamber of Commerce [JCC] has also agreed that the two sides would also stick to the ceasefire," he added.
The Afghan media also confirmed the reopening of the border from Tuesday (today). TOLO news reported on its website that the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment (ACCI) had announced the agreement on the reopening of the Torkham crossing.
"A meeting was held today in Torkham between both sides. The decisions made were positive, and it is likely that the crossing will reopen today or tomorrow," TOLOnews quotd a trader, Zalmai Azimi, as saying. "Torkham will reopen tomorrow [today] for all types of movement under this agreement."
Khaamapress, another Afghan media outlet, quoted officials from the Chamber of Commerce and Investment in Nangarhar as saying that traders and tribal elders from both countries had reached an agreement to reopen the Torkham border crossing on Tuesday (today).
"Following today's meeting, the Torkham border will officially reopen for transit tomorrow. This will allow free movement of goods and people across the border, bringing much-needed relief to the people who rely on this crossing for trade and travel," the report stated.
The Pakistani officials told The Express Tribune that all sorts of trade, including the transit trade, remained halted during the 24-day closure of the border. The cumulative losses to the national kitty because of the closure amounted to $72 million, an official said speaking on condition of anonymity.
The reopening of the border would be welcome news for approximately 2 million people on both sides who wanted to cross over ahead of the Eidul Fitr. According to the officials, 10,000 people cross the Torkham border point every day.
(WITH INPUT FROM NEWS DESK)
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