Key Pakistani-Afghan border crossing closed after visa dispute

ISLAMABAD

A key border crossing between Pakistan and Afghanistan has been closed to truck drivers following a visa dispute for drivers, an official told Anadolu on Tuesday.

The Torkham border has been closed to traffic since Saturday following the implementation of visas for drivers, however, travelers are allowed to cross.

"Pakistan and Afghanistan sides made it mandatory for drivers to get visas and cross the border. Without a visa, no one is allowed to cross it," a Pakistani official at the border told Anadolu on condition of anonymity.

Drivers from both sides had been crossing the border without visas, however, in last November, Islamabad announced that drivers will now need visas and no one will be allowed to cross without legal documents.

"Yesterday, senior officials at the border from both sides had met at Torkam but they didn't reach any immediate agreement to resolve the issue," said the officer.

Afghan state-run media accused the Pakistani military of closing the border on Saturday and dozens of trucks, loaded with goods, were prevented from entering Afghanistan.

The Torkham crossing was also closed last month after a dispute between security forces from the two countries regarding a disagreement on the construction of a new gate.

The key border crossing affects trade between Islamabad and Kabul.

Trade between the two countries amounted to $2.5 billion in 2010 but dropped to $1.6 billion before settling just above $1.8 billion in 2022 - 23, according to the Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce.

The Torkham border, connecting Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province to Nangarhar province in Afghanistan, remained closed for several days in September following skirmishes between border security forces.

Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan went sour in November when Islamabad launched a crackdown against illegal foreigners, mostly Afghan refugees, and announced it would send them back to their countries.

Around half a million Afghans have returned.

Islamabad also accuses “Afghanistan-based” militants loyal to the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) party of carrying out attacks with the Taliban turning a blind eye.

Kabul denies the charge.