Trade Suspended at Torkham Border Amid Travel Document Dispute

Trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan has been halted at the Torkham border after Pakistan reimposed travel document requirements for Afghan truck drivers. In response, Taliban authorities suspended all vehicle movements into Pakistan.

Trade along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border at Torkham has been suspended following Pakistan's decision to enforce travel document requirements for Afghan cargo truck drivers, The Express Tribune reports. In retaliation, the Taliban has halted all vehicle movement into Pakistan.

According to a customs official, new visa and travel document requirements, initially communicated in January, were extended at the Taliban's request but expired on July 31. "As of today, Afghan drivers must present required travel documents," the official said.

Reacting to the enforcement, a Taliban official stated, "Pakistani drivers are entering Afghanistan without documentation, yet Pakistan is hindering our trade activities. Hence, all trade at Torkham is suspended until further notice."

Earlier clashes at the Torkham border in March, involving Pakistan's Frontier Corps and the Federal Investigation Agency, led to its temporary closure for pedestrian traffic, as reported by Geo News. The tensions arose when FC officials allegedly ignored orders to cease interference in border control duties.

Security concerns remain a priority, with FC sources emphasizing their role in monitoring border crossings to ensure safety.