The Torkham border is set to reopen today (Wednesday) for trade after 25 days following talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
A flag meeting between representatives of both countries is going to be held in a while.
The Torkham border was reopened after weeks of jirga meetings between the authorities.
Head of Pakistani tribal jirga Syed Jawad Hussain Kazmi said that Afghan officials have agreed to remove the controversial construction that had led to tensions between the two sides.
The Torkham border was closed on February 21 after tensions escalated when Afghan forces began construction inside Pakistani territory.
Importance of Torkham border
Torkham border connects Nangarhar province of Afghanistan with Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. It is the busiest port of entry between the two countries, serving as a major transporting, shipping, and receiving site.
According to customs officials, the Torkham crossing facilitates daily trade worth approximately $3 million and sees the movement of around 10,000 people. The reopening is expected to restore economic activity and ease travel for traders and citizens.
In another development, Pakistan has turned down a request by the Afghan Taliban to grant an extension in the stay of Afghan refugees.
In a major policy decision, Pakistan on March 7 announced that Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders had until March 31 to leave the country or face deportation. There are around 800,000 ACC holders in Pakistan but after March 31 they will be treated as illegal aliens.
