PESHAWAR – The Torkham border closure has upended daily life on both sides, halting trade and leaving thousands stranded. Since 21 February, the crossing has remained shut following clashes between Pakistani security forces and Afghan Taliban fighters.
Hopes of a peaceful resolution faded when negotiations failed, sparking an intense overnight exchange of gunfire. One Afghan Taliban fighter was killed, and two others were injured in the latest skirmishz Pakistan officials claimed. On the Pakistani side, three Frontier Corps personnel and a civilian were wounded. A Pakistani mortar post was damaged, prompting retaliatory strikes on Afghan positions, including the Jungle and Khawar posts.
The economic fallout of the Torkham border closure is deepening. With nearly 2,500 trucks stuck at the crossing, traders are now counting losses of around 27 million US dollars. Transporters, business owners, and daily wage workers are feeling the strain, while Afghan patients seeking medical care in Pakistan remain in limbo.Fear is growing among residents living near the border.
Families in Bacha Mena village packed up and moved to Landi Kotal as gunfire erupted past midnight, continuing until morning. Many worry that this closure, like previous ones, could drag on indefinitely.
Against this backdrop, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur met Afghan Consul General Hafiz Mohibullah Shakir on 2 March, hoping to break the deadlock. Both agreed that the border should reopen before Eid ul-Fitr, citing economic and humanitarian concerns. Gandapur urged Afghan officials to step in, stressing that regional peace is in both nations’ best interests.To push for a resolution, a provincial jirga has been formed to negotiate with Afghan authorities, pending federal approval.
Meanwhile, talks with international organizations are ongoing to secure health and education support for Afghan refugees in Pakistan. For now, the Torkham border closure continues to test patience on both sides. With businesses suffering and families displaced, the stakes for reopening this vital crossing are higher than ever.
