Landi Kotal: The All Torkham Customs Clearing Agents Association has announced a public protest gathering against the prolonged closure of the Torkham border, scheduled for 2 August at 10:00am at Bacha Khan Chowk in Landi Kotal Bazaar.

The announcement was made during a joint press conference at the District Press Club Khyber, Landi Kotal, by Association President Mujeeb Shinwari, Miraj Shinwari, representatives of the Transport Union, Labour Union and Aftab Shinwari.

The speakers appealed to political and social activists, elected representatives, traders, labourers, transporters and people from all walks of life to participate in the protest and raise a united voice against the continued closure of the Torkham border.

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They said the border closure over the past ten months has caused severe economic hardship for local labourers, transporters, customs clearing agents and traders. They added that despite raising the issue at every relevant forum, staging several protests and approaching all concerned authorities, the matter remains unresolved, leaving thousands of families facing unemployment and financial distress.

During the press conference, the leaders also announced their full support for the shutter-down strike by the Bara traders' community. They warned that if their demands are not accepted, Landi Kotal Bazaar and the Pakistan-Afghanistan Highway will be shut down in protest on 2 August.

They said the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of people in Landi Kotal depend on the Torkham border and urged the government to take immediate and effective measures to reopen the crossing. They also called on elected public representatives to attend the protest gathering and raise the concerns of the affected people.

Speaking on the occasion, Mirajuddin Shinwari said the relevant authorities had remained silent over the Torkham border issue despite being fully aware of the public's difficulties. He warned that if the issue is not resolved, the protest movement will intensify.