The Torkham trade route remains closed for the fifteenth consecutive day due to tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan in Khyber.
According to security sources, firing has ceased over the past two days; however, the border remains shut, disrupting bilateral trade and pedestrian movement between the two countries.
Reports showed that “eight Frontier Corps (FC) personnel have been injured, while three members of the Afghan forces have been killed during the clashes.”
Customs officials reported that the closure of the trade route is causing an average daily loss of approximately $3 million in bilateral trade.
Daily imports from Afghanistan average around $1.6 million, while exports stand at about $1.4 million, affecting nearly $42 million in trade over the past two weeks.
Immigration authorities stated that around 10,000 individuals typically cross into Afghanistan daily through the Torkham border, but this movement has been halted due to the ongoing tensions.
The conflict arose 14 days ago when Afghan forces were constructing in a disputed area along the border, leading to increased hostility between Pakistani and Afghan forces, Security sources also reported.
Moreover, due to this dispute, FC officials have closed the Torkham trade route to all forms of traffic.
Heavy cross-border firing continued between Pakistan and Afghanistan at the Torkham-Jalalabad border as the Interim Afghan Government (IAG) persists with construction in disputed territory despite multiple warnings from Pakistan on March 5.
Heavy cross-border firing continued on March 5 between Pakistan and Afghanistan at the Torkham-Jalalabad border as the Interim Afghan Government (IAG) persists with construction in disputed territory despite multiple warnings from Pakistan.
On February 28, Torkham border crossing was closed that left travellers stranded on both sides and causing significant financial losses to traders amounting to millions of rupees.
