KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – The Torkham border crossing between Afghanistan and Pakistan remains closed for a second week, halting trade and leaving hundreds of travelers stranded.
Pakistan shut the key transit route on February 21 after Taliban authorities began constructing a border post.
More than 5,000 trucks carrying perishable goods are stuck on both sides, causing financial losses, according to Ziaul Haq Sarhadi, a director at the Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Drivers and passengers stranded at the border have raised concerns over worsening conditions. Truck driver Najeeb Ullah told AP he has been forced to sleep in his vehicle to guard his cargo. Another driver, Mustafa Khan, said he has been stuck for days with no information on when the border will reopen.
Taliban officials have criticized the closure, saying Pakistan continues its own border construction without restrictions.
Pakistan has not issued a formal statement, while the Taliban say they are working to resolve the issue.
The Torkham crossing, which connects Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province with Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province, is one of the busiest routes for trade and travel, including for Afghan patients seeking medical treatment in Pakistan.
Border closures at Torkham are common due to disputes over the Durand Line, which Afghanistan does not formally recognize.
Pakistan has nearly completed a fence along the frontier, citing security concerns. The region also experiences frequent militant attacks targeting Pakistani forces.
In recent years, Pakistan has shut the border multiple times, often for several days, disrupting trade and preventing Afghan patients from accessing urgent medical care.
With no resolution in sight, traders and travelers are urging the Pakistani government to reopen the crossing and ease disruptions.
