KHYBER: The immigration system at the Torkham Border between Pakistan and Afghanistan has hit a snag, leaving pedestrian movement suspended for a second day.
Immigration sources revealed that while the border reopened for trade on Thursday after 25-day closure, technical glitches in the computer system had stalled foot traffic. Engineers have been called in to fix the issue and repairs are expected to wrap up soon. However, for now, the suspension continues to leave travellers in limbo. The Torkham border crossing, the main artery for travel and trade between Pakistan and landlocked Afghanistan, has reopened after a 25-day closure following successful negotiations by the authorities of the two countries.
Sources told media that the crossing will be initially opened for trade and people would be allowed to cross on foot from Friday onwards.
Following the reopening of the border crossing, bilateral trade has resumed with trucks carrying commercial goods started entering Afghanistan, sources added.
Earlier, head of Pakistani tribal jirga Syed Jawad Hussain Kazmi said that Afghan officials have agreed to remove the controversial construction that had led to tensions between the two sides.
He said that a ceasefire would remain in place until the JCC meeting takes place, ensuring stability in the region. Pakistani security officials have expressed satisfaction with the Afghan authorities’ decision, Kazmi added.
The closure, triggered by tensions over the construction of a bunker by Afghan forces near Zero-Point, severely impacted cross-border movement, suspending all trade and travel between the two countries. –Agencies
