Hopes rise as joint Jirga meets on Torkham stalemate

JALALABAD (Pajhwok): A joint Jirga was held between representatives of the chambers of commerce of Afghanistan and Pakistan in Torkham on Monday on reopening the Torkham gate, with both sides presenting their views.

Participants of the Jirga say there is no exact information about the reopening of the gate, but express hope the gate will be reopened.

Azizur Rahman Arab, a member of the Nangarhar Chamber of Commerce and Investment and a participant of the jirga, told Pajhwok Afghan News that the meeting was held today and both sides shared the demands of their respective sides.

He said the report of the meeting will be shared with the governor of Nangarhar and after that, the final decision on opening the gate or continuing to remain closed will be made by the commissioners of both sides.

On the other hand, a government source in Torkham told Pajhwok that the meeting began at around 11 am today and concluded at around 2 pm.

The source said 40 businessmen and tribal elders from Pakistan and 16 people from Afghanistan participated in the meeting, and both sides discussed important issues and shared suggestions and ideas about reopening the route.

Pakistan abruptly closed the Torkham gate about 25 days ago in reaction to reconstruction of a border post by Afghanistan on this side of the crossing.

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