Pakistan to Reopen Torkham Border on Humanitarian Grounds

Islamabad: In a significant humanitarian gesture, Pakistan has announced the reopening of the Torkham border crossing with Afghanistan for both pedestrian and vehicular traffic, starting from Friday. This decision follows assurances from the Afghan interim government that its territory will not be used against Pakistan, as confirmed by senior officials on Thursday.

The Torkham border crossing serves as a vital trade and transit route connecting the two neighboring countries. Pakistan had temporarily closed this border crossing on September 5 in response to an attack originating from Afghan territory.

In recent developments, Pakistan’s Head of Mission in Afghanistan, Ubaid Nizamani, engaged in discussions with senior officials in Kabul on Thursday. These discussions encompassed various aspects, including the security situation in the region and bilateral relations between the two nations.

This decision to reopen the Torkham border crossing underscores Pakistan’s commitment to facilitating cross-border movement and trade while emphasizing the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the region. It is expected to positively impact the livelihoods and well-being of individuals and businesses reliant on this critical border route.