Trade resuems as Torkham border reopened

KABUL (Khaama Press): The regular trade and movement of people between Afghanistan and Pakistan fully resumed on Saturday after the two sides agreed to reopen the Torkham border, which was closed for almost a week.
The Torkham border was reopened on Saturday, according to an announcement from the Afghan embassy in Islamabad. The Taliban in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province and Pakistani officials both verified that the border crossing is open for travel and trade.
On Friday, The border was reopened conditionally after negotiations between Afghan-Pakistani officials. From now on, Torkham crossing has been opened for trade transit and passengers, Afghanistan Embassy in Islamabad announced on Saturday.
This comes after a trade group said on Friday that the government’s closure of the crossing point had caused over 7,000 trucks carrying goods, including perishable items like fruits, vegetables, juices, poultry, and eggs, to become stuck at the Pakistan-Afghanistan Torkham border for the previous five days.
Meanwhile, Zia-ul-Haq Sarhadi, the director of the Pak-Afghan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PAJCCI), warned that if the government did not open the gate, exporters and businesspeople would suffer severe losses as a result of the border closure.
Torkham is an essential commercial thoroughfare and a trade route for Pakistan to reach Central Asian countries.
Media reported that the Afghan Taliban closed the Torkham border crossing on Sunday.
The closure of the Torkham gate of Spin Boldak between Afghanistan and Pakistan caused concern among business people and other stakeholders on both sides was closed for almost a week.