A significant breakthrough was achieved during a Pak-Afghan jirga aimed at addressing border tensions at the Khyber-Torkham crossing.
Pakistani jirga member Jawad Hussain said that both sides agreed to cease hostilities and restore trade and travel through the vital border crossing.
As part of the agreement, the jirga decided to temporarily halt the disputed construction by Afghan forces. The Afghan delegation has requested until this evening to consult their authorities on the issue.
Hussain mentioned that the Afghan jirga would brief their officials about halting the construction, and the matter would be postponed until the next meeting of the Joint Chamber of Commerce.
The final decision regarding the disputed construction will be made at that session, while trade activities at the crossing will resume in the meantime. The date for the next meeting will be determined through mutual consultation.
Additionally, officials from Pakistan’s Frontier Corps (FC) and Afghan authorities were scheduled to meet today. The reopening of the Torkham trade route is anticipated after their discussions.
The border crossing was closed on February 21 amid rising tensions when Afghan forces began construction inside the Pakistani territory.