AT News
KABUL – Trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan has resumed as the Torkham border crossing reopened after a closure lasting over 10 days. Hundreds of trucks and people were stranded on both sides of the border after Pakistan shut it down following a new visa requirement for passengers.
Truckers, traditionally crossing without documents, are now required to obtain visas, a new mandate imposed by Pakistan last week. Following a series of meetings, both nations agreed to reopen the Torkham border, with Pakistan setting a deadline of March 31 for truck drivers to comply with the new visa requirement, according to Ziaul Haq Sarhadi, a director of the Pakistan-Afghanistan joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Abdul Basir Zabali, the Taliban-appointed spokesman for the police chief in Nangarhar province, confirmed the reopening after discussions, without providing specific details. The Torkham crossing has experienced several closures in recent months, often triggered by clashes between security forces, including instances related to border fence repairs by Pakistan.