KHYBER: The key Torkham border crossing between Pakistan and Afghanistan remains closed for passengers for the 28th consecutive day.
The Torkham route between the two countries that remained closed for 26 days was reopened on March 19 for trade following a flag meeting between Pakistani and Afghanistan officials at zero point.
It was decided in the meeting that the crossing will be reopened for passengers’ movement on Friday (today). However, the Torkham gate was not restored for pedestrian crossing.
On average, 10,000 people use the Torkham crossing daily.
According to reports, repair work is ongoing at the Torkham Immigration Center. Experts are fixing the IBMS system and scanner to restore passenger movement.
FIA sources at the border confirmed that technical teams are working to resolve the issue.
Bilateral trade has lost an estimated $78 million in the 26 days. Daily bilateral trade losses amount to $3 million. Thousands of cargo trucks were stranded on both sides of the border.
Pakistan had closed the border crossing on Feb. 21 after Afghan authorities initiated “construction of trenches and other development work” along the border, Pakistani forces had said. This led to the suspension of cross-border trade and movement between the two sides.
The Torkham border crossing is the main transit route for travelers and trade between Pakistan and landlocked Afghanistan. The trade volume between the two countries was over $1.6 billion in 2024.
