Pakistan has announced the reopening of the Torkham border following successful negotiations with the Afghan government.
The border had been closed for eight days due to construction activities on the Afghan side, accompanied by security forces exchanging fire. Pakistan subsequently shut down the Torkham border completely, disrupting both land and foot traffic, including truck movement.
Ismatullah Yaqoob, the Torkham Border Affairs In-charge, confirmed the reopening, stating that the gate will resume its regular operations at 8 am on Friday, allowing transit and passenger movement.
Reports suggest that Pakistan had conditioned the border’s reopening on the withdrawal of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants from Chitral district. It is reported that TTP militants had retreated from border areas following the Kabul government’s actions.
Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch had previously indicated that the border closure was temporary and anticipated progress in the coming days.
Furthermore, there are indications that the Afghan government has pledged action against those who use its territory against Pakistan. The Afghan Interim Government’s Foreign Minister, Maulvi Amir Khan Muttaqi, assured that Afghan soil would not be used for operations against Pakistan and appealed for the border’s reopening on humanitarian grounds, a request to which Pakistan agreed.