The Taliban has criticised the closing of Afghanistan’s main border crossing with Pakistan
The Afghan Taliban has heavily criticized the closure of its border crossing with Pakistan.The two security forces fired at each other. It led to the border closure. The move also affects trade and businesses in both countries.
The Torkham border crossing is the busiest crossing between the two countries. The Taliban Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that the Torkham border closure and firing at Afghan forces are not signs of good neighbourliness.
According to the statement, Pakistani forces shot at Afghan Taliban forces near an old security outpost. The outpost was near the border crossing. The Pakistani Foreign Office did not offer immediate comments.
The closure has affected the transport of trade trucks. The vehicles stopped at the border, and traders complained about the closure. The Torkham Pass is essential to trade and travelers alike.
The closure affected bilateral and regional trade. It resulted in financial losses for the merchants. Traveling individuals from both countries are also stuck across the border.
The 2,600-kilometer border has been a point of contention between the two neighbours for decades.
Taliban-Pakistan conflict
Earlier this week, Pakistani and Afghan Taliban forces were engaged in armed conflict at the Torkham border. Abdul Basir Zabuli, a Taliban spokesperson, states that they are investigating the cause of the clash.
Ziaul Haq Sarhadi from the Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry states that several trucks carrying perishable goods have stopped at the border. The traders are suffering massive losses due to the closure.
Separately, Pakistan and Afghanistan were involved in other clashes. Pakistan claims that four soldiers died during a fight in the Chitral district that killed twelve militants.