Torkham Border Closed To Passengers, Freight Traffic Still Allowed

Several travellers at the Torkham border crossing told Afghanistan International on Friday, 9 May, that the border has been closed to passenger movement. However, they reported that freight trucks are still being allowed to pass.

The travellers, who also shared video footage, said that the crossing is now shut for pedestrian traffic on both sides of the border.

So far, no official explanation has been provided, and neither the Taliban nor Pakistani authorities have commented on the closure.

The video footage shows large groups of travellers, patients, and migrants gathered near the border gate. Many expressed uncertainty about when the crossing will reopen.

Torkham is one of the most important border crossings between Afghanistan and Pakistan, and it has been closed multiple times in recent months.

The crossing was previously shut for nearly a month to both travellers and freight traffic, from 21 February until 19 March.