ISLAMABAD; Preparations have been finalized to reopen the Torkham trade gateway between Pakistan and Afghanistan after a ten-day closure caused by bilateral tensions, customs sources confirmed on Tuesday.
According to officials, customs personnel were deployed at the Torkham terminal on Monday, while new scanners have been installed to expedite the clearance of cargo trucks. The trade route is expected to reopen at any time today, they added.
The closure had left thousands of trucks carrying import, export, and transit goods stranded on both sides of the border, resulting in long traffic jams and substantial financial losses.
Customs officials stated that the Torkham border facilitates approximately Rs850 million worth of two-way trade daily between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Chaman Border Still Closed
In contrast, the Chaman border crossing remains completely closed for the tenth consecutive day, halting both trade activities and pedestrian movement. However, security officials in Pakistan have permitted hundreds of empty trucks stuck in Afghanistan to return.
Pakistan primarily exports cement, medicines, textiles, fruits, and vegetables to Afghanistan, while coal, soapstone, and fresh and dried fruits make up Afghanistan’s major exports to Pakistan.
The suspension of trade has severely affected traders and thousands of transport workers who depend on cross-border activity for their livelihood.
Government sources said both countries have agreed that future cross-border trade will continue under a formal framework aligned with international trade standards.
