Torkham Border Remains Closed for Sixth Day, Trade Losses Reach $8 Million

The border closure has also left passengers, patients, and drivers stranded in extreme cold, facing severe hardships.

The Torkham border remains closed for the sixth consecutive day due to Afghanistan’s construction activities in disputed areas along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. According to customs sources, trade worth $8 million has been affected over the past five days.

Zahid Shinwari, former president of the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry and director of the Pakistan-Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, emphasized the severe economic impact of the closure. 

Speaking to the media, he stated that the Pakistan-Afghanistan trade is worth billions, and the prolonged border closure is detrimental to the country's economy. He urged the government to reopen the border immediately and compensate traders for their losses, particularly those dealing in perishable goods like food items, fruits, and vegetables.

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The border closure has also left passengers, patients, and drivers stranded in extreme cold, facing severe hardships. Many truck drivers are running out of money, and the prolonged halt is causing damage to vehicle tires due to the heavy cargo.

Both drivers and laborers have called on the governments of Pakistan and Afghanistan to resolve the dispute through negotiations to restore trade and alleviate their difficulties.