Torkham crossing stays shut for 3rd day on the trot

KABUL/PESHAWAR (Pajhwok): The Torkham crossing remained closed for the third consecutive day on Monday, creating difficulties for travellers, truckers and patients.

Torkham-based information official Arafat Mohajir told Pajhwok Afghan News the key route between the neighbouring countries stayed shut on Monday.

He said: “The Torkham gate was kept shut for the third day on the trot by Pakistani authorities for pedestrian travelers, patients and commercial vehicles.”

Mohajir urged travelers to avoid taking the route until further notice. The Torkham gate was closed by Pakistan in response to the construction of military facilities by Afghan officials in the area.

On Sunday, a Pakistani official said, more than 200 Afghan citizens arrived in the dusty town from Peshawar in the hope that the busy route would be reopened.

However, they were not allowed to undergo the immigration process due to the closure of all government offices, the source said, adding the Afghans had to go back to Peshawar.

Over the past three days, sources revealed, no direct talks had been held between border security officials of the two countries.

“As far as I know, this time around, the issue has been left to higher-ups in Kabul and Islamabad,” revealed a security official, who did not want to be named.

sa/mud