By Alam Zeb Khan
ISLAMABAD: The most active and busy Torkham crossing border between Pakistan and Afghanistan was closed on Monday (20 February), officials from the both sides said, and the area’s residents reported the sound of gunfire near the usually busy transit point at noon.
According to local journalist Farhad Shinwari, the issue appeared due to the unavailability of legal documents with Afghan citizens.
According to locals, a few months back, Pakistani authorities provided some temporary relaxation to Afghan patients coming to Pakistan for treatment. Earlier, one patient had been allowed one attendant without necessary legal documents. However, the authorities withdrew the ease for the last few days and advised the patients to accompany their attendants with legal documents. According to Pakistani authorities, it was essential to resume the routine protocol due to recent terrorist activities in Pakistan.
However, officials from the Afghan side were not happy over the move, rustling tension in the area, followed by a cross-firing incident on Monday noon. Later the Afghan official initiated closing the border, followed by Pakistan’s response.
Farhad Shinwari said that, at present, scores of citizens and commuters had been stranded on both sides. However, the Afghan side suffered more, as many patients are waiting there to come to Pakistan for treatment.
He added that all activities, including import, export, customs clearance, and movement of passengers and vehicles, had been stopped until further orders.
According to a local journalist in Afghanistan’s Jalalabad, Afghan officials say the border will be closed until they receive further orders from their high-ups.
Pak, Afghan border issue
Central crossing borders between Pakistan and Afghanistan, including Torhkam, Chaman, Ghulam Khan, etc., have been closed for different reasons, including skirmishes and minor disputes. However, in such a situation, people of both countries usually suffer, including the effect on their businesses.
