Torkham Border Reopens for Passengers, Sources Confirm

Sources at Torkham confirmed to the Pashto section of Afghanistan International that the Torkham border crossing reopened for passenger movement on Saturday morning. The border had partially reopened on Wednesday, 19 March, permitting only patients and freight vehicles to pass.

According to sources, full access for all travellers resumed at 8:00 AM local time on Saturday. Only those with valid visas may cross, based on available information.

Sayed Tayeb Hamad, spokesperson for the Taliban’s Nangarhar police command, confirmed the reopening for passengers. In a video message, he advised travellers to avoid the route for the next two days. He specified that only patients would be allowed to cross on Saturday and Sunday.

The border had been closed since 21 February due to clashes between Pakistani and Taliban border forces. The conflict arose over the Taliban’s construction of a checkpoint and Pakistan’s installation of a signboard. To enable the reopening, two separate jirgas—tribal councils—with representatives from both Pakistan and the Taliban convened at the border.