KHYBER: A Pakistani jirga has resolved Afghan concerns to resume talks over the Torkham border closure. The talks had broken down on Thursday after the Afghan delegation walked out.
After consulting officials in Kabul and Jalalabad, the Afghan jirga, led by Afghan Chamber of Commerce Chairman Younus Mohmand, returned to Torkham for a decisive round of talks. The meeting aimed to finalize steps for reopening the border and settling the territorial dispute.
However, the Afghan delegation objected to Pakistan expanding its jirga without prior consultation. They waited for two hours but left without holding talks.
Pakistani jirga chief and Federation of Chambers of Commerce adviser Sayed Jawad Hussain Kazmi admitted the issue. He acknowledged that Pakistan had not properly communicated the delegation’s expansion. He assured that unrelated members were removed, and the jirga now consists of 50 members.
Both countries formed jirgas four days ago, including tribal elders, businessmen, and officials. Their goal is to resolve the border closure, which has been in effect since February 21.
Pakistani authorities have cited the construction of new facilities and checkpoints by the Taliban near the border as the reason for the closure.
In their first meeting two days ago, both sides agreed to a ceasefire and continued dialogue. The ceasefire remains in place.
Kazmi said they contacted the Afghan jirga and requested a meeting. He said that scheduling is now the Afghan jirga’s responsibility.
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He expressed hope that both jirgas would meet within a day or two. The ceasefire will remain in effect during the talks.
