Landi Kotal:
The Torkham border between Pakistan and Afghanistan should reopen Tuesday (today) after successful talks during a Jirga between the former religious, political and tribal designated on both sides, the head of the Pakistani delegation announced on Monday.
The head of the Pakistani delegation Syed Jawad Hussain Kazmi told L’Express PK Press Club that the Afghan party had also agreed to stop illegal construction, and the two parties decided that all future construction at the disputed border point would only carry out a mutual consensus.
The Torkham border was closed on February 21 following increasing tensions between the border forces of the two neighboring countries due to the construction not authorized by the Afghan authorities near the border, violating a previous agreement.
The situation intensified on March 4 when the talks for the reopening of the crossing failed, leading to an exchange of fire between the Pakistani security forces and the Afghan Taliban combatants. The confrontation resulted in the death of an Afghan border guard and wounds for two other.
The 24 -day border closure had led to the suspension of all movements, affecting trade and travel. However, with the last agreement, the two parties seemed committed to resolving their differences and reopening the border for mutual benefit.
The last series of conferences took place at the building commissioner on the Afghan side of the border. During the conferences, the Pakistani team was led by Kazmi. “The two parties accepted the resumption of trade and the passage of people,” said Kazmi.
“The Afghan part also agreed that illegal construction would also be interrupted on the Afghan side, and Islamabad’s message would also be delivered to the authorities. [Pak-Afghan] Joint Chamber of Commerce [JCC] Also agreed that the two parties would also respect the ceasefire, “he added.
The Afghan media also confirmed the reopening of the border from Tuesday (today). Tolo News reported on his website that the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment (ACCI) announced the agreement on the reopening of Torkham’s crossing.
“A meeting took place today in Torkham between the two sides. The decisions taken have been positive, and it is likely that the crossing will reopen today or tomorrow,” said Tolonews a merchant, Zalmai Azimi. “Torkham will reopen tomorrow [today] For all types of movement under this agreement. “”
Khaamapress, another Afghan media, cited managers of the Chamber of Commerce and Investment in Nangarhar, saying that the merchants and former tribal people of the two countries had concluded an agreement to reopen the border crossing of Torkham on Tuesday (today).
“After today’s meeting, the Torkham border will officially reopen for transport tomorrow.
Pakistani officials told L’Express PK Press Club that all kinds of businesses, including the public transport trade, had remained interrupted when the border is closed at 24 days. The cumulative losses against the National Kitty due to the closure amounted to $ 72 million, said a manager speaking on condition of anonymity.
The reopening of the border would be the good news for around 2 million people on both sides who wanted to cross before the Eidul Fitr. According to officials, 10,000 people cross the Torkham border every day.
(With News Desk entry)
