Cargo trucks ready to roll as Torkham route reopens

JALALABAD (Pajhwok): The Torkham crossing is set to reopen today (Wednesday) at 4:00pm for cargo vehicles, with passenger movement scheduled to resume on Friday, an official said.

Nangarhar Information and Culture Director Qari Sajid Khogyani made the announcement on his Facebook account on Wednesday.

Earlier in the morning, the Information and Culture Department said the key crossing would be reopened for all types of movement today at 1:00pm.

A statement from the department quoted Deputy Governor Maulvi Azizullah Mustafa as saying the decision was made at a meeting between Afghan and Pakistani commissioners at Torkham.

The major trade hub between the neighbours was shut by Pakistan nearly a month ago in reaction to the reconstruction of a border post by Afghanistan on this side of the crossing.

The closure led to several clashes between the two sides, causing casualties and financial losses, as well as stoking tensions.

Jawad Hussain Kazmi, head of the Pakistani tribal jirga, also confirmed that he met the Afghan commissioner at 10:00am on the reopening of the busy route.

The prolonged shutdown of the vital trade route has resulted in millions of US dollars in losses for traders and transporters on both sides.

kk/mud