LANDIKOTAL: The first session of a Pakistan-Afghanistan grand tribal jirga was held at Torkham border with an agreement on a ceasefire, effective until March 11.
Both sides pledged to halt all construction along the Torkham border while jirga members visited disputed military installations built by Afghan forces in Pakistani territory, official sources said.
The sources said that Pakistan formed a 40-member jirga comprising tribal elders, political and social figures, religious scholars and business representatives from Khyber district while in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province assembled a 35-member grand jirga, including tribal elders and business personalities.
Two rounds of the meeting were held on the Pakistani side of the Torkham border’s Zero Point transit terminal.
The jirga lasted for more than four hours. In accordance with tribal traditions, both sides agreed to enforce a ceasefire between Pakistani and Afghan forces until March 11, during which all construction activities on both sides of the border would remain suspended.
Additionally, jirga members decided to jointly inspect the disputed military installations set up by Afghan forces near the border. If the assessment confirms that these installations fall within Pakistani territory, Afghan forces will be required to halt construction permanently. Jirga sources stated that if the dispute over military structures was resolved within the agreed timeframe, the Torkham border would be reopened for all types of movement on March 11.
Both governments have endorsed the jirga’s role and committed to implementing its final decision.The border tensions began when Afghan forces started constructing military installations near Torkham, reportedly within Pakistani territory.
This led to armed clashes between Pakistani and Afghan forces, escalating the situation and resulting in the closure of the border crossing.During the clashes, eight personnel from Pakistan’s Frontier Corps (FC) sustained injuries, while three Afghan soldiers were killed.
The fighting further deepened mistrust between the two nations, prompting the involvement of tribal elders to mediate the crisis.For the past 16 days, the closure of Torkham has severely impacted bilateral trade and regional connectivity.
The crossing is a key trade route between Pakistan and Afghanistan, as well as a major transit point for Central Asian trade.Customs officials estimate that the daily trade loss due to the closure stands at approximately $3 million, totaling around $45 million over the past two weeks.
Essential goods, including food supplies and medical shipments, have also been delayed, affecting businesses and consumers on both sides of the border.
The closure has disrupted the movement of thousands of people. Immigration officials report that an average of 10,000 individuals cross the Torkham border daily for business, medical treatment, and family visits.
The shutdown has left many stranded, further increasing tensions.Jirga leaders stressed that resolving the dispute peacefully was in the best interest of both nations. They expressed optimism that the ceasefire and negotiations would lead to a lasting solution, ensuring stability and economic activity in the border region.
With the backing of both governments, the jirga’s efforts represent a significant step toward easing tensions. If the agreement holds, trade and travel at the Torkham border could resume smoothly after March 11, restoring normalcy to one of the busiest border crossings between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
