Rally staged in Landikotal against Torkham closure

PESHAWAR (Pajhwok): People from a cross-section of society have rallied in Landikotal town against the continued closure of the Torkham crossing,

Businesspeople, political figures, labourers and civil society members on Saturday asked Pakistan and Afghanistan to talk out their irritants as soon as possible.

As the key crossing stayed shut for the 16th consecutive day, trade activity and travel between the two countries via Torkham have come to a grinding halt.

Due to the route closure, thousands of people, including patients, women, children and elderly men, have been stranded for the last two weeks.

The traders, transporters and daily-wage workers, who heavily rely on cross-border business for their livelihoods, complained they were hard hit by the ongoing gridlock.

Concerned at the stalemate, the rally participants urged Islamabad and Kabul to sort out their rifts and reopen the crossing immediately to prevent further suffering.

Speaking on the occasion, business community representatives claimed they had suffered huge financial losses as a result of the border blockade.

On both sides, thousands of trucks laden with perishable commodities, including fruits and vegetables, remain stranded. Massive spoilage is fuelling worries among traders.

Meanwhile, civil society activist Nisar Shinwari voiced concern at the displacement of civilians as a result of of clashes between security forces of the two countries.

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