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Afghanistan, Pakistan forces at Torkham border agree to two-day ceasefire
Hundreds of people have also been stranded at the border and traders have incurred millions of dollars in losses as trucks have been unable to cross into either country
Border forces on both sides of Torkham crossing on Sunday agreed to a two-day ceasefire after weeks of hostilities.
The Torkham border crossing was closed last month by Pakistan after a dispute over the construction of a new checkpoint. However the border will remain closed until the next round of talks, Pakistan media reported.
Intense exchanges of gunfire have taken place over the past two weeks, which led to the death of at least one person.
Hundreds of people have also been stranded at the border and traders have incurred millions in losses as trucks have been unable to cross into either country.
Speaking to Anadolu news agency, a senior Pakistani official said the agreement was reached at a tribal assembly at the Torkham border. Tribal leaders from both countries attended the jirga.
Afghanistan was represented by a 35-member delegation of tribal elders.
Anadolu reported that the two sides also agreed to stop “all kinds of” construction on both sides of the border until the next round of talks. Talks are slated for Wednesday.
The official told Anadolu that the border is likely to be reopened after the second round of talks.
Torkham is one of 18 crossings between the two countries and is one of the busiest.
About 10,000 people, mainly Afghans, use the crossing daily to seek medical treatment and earn a livelihood in Pakistan’s border areas.
Zalmay Khalilzad, the former US special representative for Afghanistan, has questioned Pakistan’s commitment to the welfare of the Afghan people, citing Islamabad’s policies over the past three decades.
Khalilzad said in a post on X that Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif advocated for the rights of Afghan women during his speech at the UN General Assembly on Friday.
Sharif said: “Fundamental rights of the Afghan people — especially women and girls — must be respected.”
Responding to the remarks, Khalilzad said Pakistan’s policies over the past 30 years raise questions about Sharif’s commitment to Afghan welfare.
He cited Pakistan’s support for militant groups against US forces and what he described as the poor treatment of Afghan refugees as examples.
Khalilzad also said Afghanistan and Pakistan need and should have much better relations, adding that “a reset is necessary.”
India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met with the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Rabab Fatima, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X that Misri underscored the need to keep addressing the humanitarian needs of the Afghan people as a priority.
Misri also appreciated the role of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and reaffirmed India’s continued cooperation with the United Nations on Afghanistan.
The meeting comes as Afghanistan continues to face humanitarian and economic challenges, with international agencies warning of significant needs among the Afghan population.
Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi has called for pragmatic and coordinated international engagement with Afghanistan, saying the country’s long-term stability is closely linked to the security and sustainable development of Central Asia.
Speaking during the general debate of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday, Tileuberdi said humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan remains essential but alone cannot break the cycle of poverty, displacement and dependency.
He said Kazakhstan supports a “pragmatic, coordinated and step-by-step” approach to international engagement with Afghanistan, with the United Nations playing a central role.
Tileuberdi also said Kazakhstan is working with the UN to operationalize the United Nations Regional Centre for the Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty.
He said the success of the centre should be measured by the results and assistance it delivers to the region.
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