Thousands of trucks stuck at Torkham border.

PESHAWAR: As officials from both sides attempt to mediate a resolution, a crucial border crossing between Pakistan and Afghanistan remained closed for a third day, stranding thousands of freight vehicles and causing financial damage to businesses. The primary transportation hub for people and supplies between Pakistan and the landlocked Afghanistan was Torkham, which was shut down by Taliban officials on Sunday.

“Losses have been incurred by traders from both Pakistan and Afghanistan as a result of the shutdown of the border crossing. Heavy trucks are stuck in lengthy lines on both sides of the border “The Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s director, Zia-ul-Haq Sarhadi, stated. He claimed that since Sunday, up to 6,000 vehicles carrying cargo have been stranded on either side.

Although officials on both sides claimed they were in communication to find a solution, the closure’s cause was not totally obvious. According to a provincial Taliban official who spoke to Reuters on Monday, Pakistan had broken its promises to permit travel, transit, and the crossing of patients seeking treatment. On February 21, 2023, trucks that were about to go into Afghanistan are seen stuck when Taliban authorities shut down the main border crossing in Torkham, Pakistan. IMAGES: REUTERS

The current administration, though, has made no public remarks on the situation. Sources claim that the government was not informed of the cause prior to the closure. According to Sarhadi, a large portion of Afghanistan’s needs are met by imports from Pakistan, and many trucks that are headed for Central Asia also pass through Afghanistan.

Since trucks have been stuck in traffic for the previous three days, he said, “traders, and in particular those delivering fresh food goods like fruits and vegetables, are incurring losses.” A few trucks had been redirected to an other, smaller border crossing, he continued, but the traders were concerned for the safety of the truck drivers going to that area. Villagers at the Torkham border crossing had reported hearing a lot of shooting on Monday morning, but a Taliban spokesperson had denied any fighting and claimed things were under control. The 2,600 km (1,615 mile) boundary has been the source of disputes between the neighbours for many years.