Pak-Afghan Torkham crossing to reopen after 25 days

It has been decided to open the Torkham trade crossing between Pakistan and Afghanistan after 25 days today.

The head of the Pakistani jirga, Jawad Hussain Kazmi, says that the Afghan authorities have agreed to end the controversial construction on the Torkham border.

Jawad Hussain Kazmi said that a flag meeting will be held at the Torkham border at 9:00 am on Wednesday, after which the trade crossing will be opened.

He said that the ceasefire will remain until the JCC meeting. Pakistani security officials have also expressed satisfaction with the decision of the Afghan authorities.

It is pertinent to note that more than three weeks ago, tension had arisen over the construction by Afghan forces adjacent to the Torkham border due to which the border crossing was closed for all types of traffic.

According to customs officials, the closure of the Pak-Afghan Torkham trade crossing causes a loss of $3 million per day.

The annual trade volume between Pakistan and Afghanistan has decreased from $2.5 billion to $1.5 billion due to the closure of the Torkham border.