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Torkham crossing likely to reopen on humanitarian grounds
Drivers stuck at the crossing report having no access to food or clean drinking water. Many say their funds have been exhausted, and several drivers have fallen ill due to the cold weather.
The Pakistan–Afghanistan Torkham crossing, shut for the past 50 days amid heightened tensions, is expected to reopen Sunday on humanitarian grounds.
The prolonged closure of the key trade crossing has left thousands of cargo trucks stranded on both sides, creating long queues and disrupting the flow of import, export, and transit goods. Customs officials say Pakistan typically exports cement, medicines, fruits, and vegetables to Afghanistan, while coal and fresh and dried fruits are imported in return.
On average, the Torkham route supports bilateral trade worth roughly Rs850 million per day.
Drivers stuck at the crossing report having no access to food or clean drinking water. Many say their funds have been exhausted, and several drivers have fallen ill due to the cold weather.
A day earlier, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar revealed that the United Nations had asked Pakistan to reconsider its decision to close the crossing. Speaking at a press briefing in Islamabad, he said the Foreign Office received the UN’s request, which urged Pakistan to review the closure and consider allowing essential food supplies to reach Afghan civilians. Dar expressed hope that approval for a humanitarian passage could come as early as today.
He added that he would consult the military leadership and the prime minister before Pakistan issues its formal response.
Dar, who has visited Afghanistan three times recently, said he conveyed to Afghan authorities that neighbours cannot change their geography and must work together. Pakistan has also stressed that failure to tackle the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan threat could create difficulties for both countries, reiterating its expectation that Afghan soil must not be used for terrorism.