Torkham route set to reopen after weeks of closure

PESHAWAR (Pajhwok): Pakistani and Afghan representatives reached an agreement on the reopening of the Torkham crossing on Tuesday (today).

In a breakthrough on Monday, jirga members from the two countries also agreed on a ceasefire and the suspension of construction work near the Zero Point.

At their meeting, jirga members succeeded in defusing tensions between the two countries in the wake of the Durand Line blockade and subsequent skirmishes, the head of the Pakistani jirga said.

Syed Jawad Hussain Kazmi told reporters the Pak-Afghan Joint Chamber of Commerce would meet again to address the outstanding irritants. He, however, did not give any date.

The a major trade hub between the neighbours, which was shut by Pakistan 25 days ago, would remain open for the sake of uninterrupted commerce, according to Kazmi, who said the joint chamber would continue consultations.

Sixty delegates, including tribal elders and business leaders, participated in the meeting — 35 from Pakistan and 25 from Afghanistan.

Until a date is determined for the next session of the chamber through mutual consensus, the key crossing will stay open for trade and travel.

Besides disrupting travel between the neighbours, the closure of the crossing inflicted massive financial losses running into millions of dollars on businesspeople on both sides.

Meanwhile, the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment (ACCI) also confirmed the agreement between traders and tribal elders, on reopening the crossing.

TOLO news quoted ACCI officials as saying the Torkham route would reopen on Tuesday for all types of movement in line with the understanding.

Trader Zalmai Azimi told the private broadcaster: “A meeting was held in Torkham. The decisions made were positive, and it is likely that the crossing will reopen today or tomorrow.”

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