The Torkham border crossing between Kabul and Islamabad remained closed for the third consecutive day on Friday, halting commercial activities and pedestrian movement. The deadlock continues due to the Afghan Taliban government’s firm stance on establishing a security checkpost on the Afghan side of the border, demonstrating no flexibility during negotiations.
Consequently, local administration officials reported a complete standstill in activities, denying any preferential treatment, even when transferring the remains of two Afghans, pending a mutual agreement between the two nations. As the closure persists, many Afghans, including women and children, find themselves stranded in Landi Kotal, relying on local aid for shelter and food. Amidst this, civil society activists organized a peace march urging both nations to ease their positions and reopen the border to alleviate the hardships faced by stranded Afghans.
Read: Torkham Border Closure Continues: Trade Halts Between Pakistan and Afghanistan