September 19, 2019
After over a century, Pakistan’s historically strategic Torkham border to Afghanistan have started to function round the clock. Prime Minister Imran Khan, along with other Pakistani and senior Afghan officials inaugurated the operationalization of 24/7 Torkham border post, through which about 10,000 people cross on daily basis.
Joint efforts of Federal and Khyber Pakhtunkwa Governments have made history. The move aims to boost bilateral and transit trade. Islamabad intends to increase bilateral trade with Kabul to $3.5 Billion. 132% increase in export and 86% rise in Cargo Traffic flow has already been observed during testing period. Additionally, it is also hoped that the gesture would help improve the bilateral relations – traditionally strained between the two neighbors, which share more than 2000 km long border.
Addressing a press conference on the occasion, PM Khan said that the move will facilitate trade in the region.
“I consider this to be a very historic day,” he said, noting that trade with Afghanistan had jumped by 50% during the trial of the 24/7 border opening alone.
The region will be transformed as soon as peace is established in Afghanistan and the trade activities will reach as far as Central Asia, he stated.
“The lives of people in this region will be changed,” he said, adding that Peshawar will become a regional hub of business activities which will generate employment opportunities.
Earlier, the crossing remained operational for 12 hours only, which created disruption for transporters across the border and a hard situation for patients that could not cross over the border overnight.
The Prime Minister also inaugurated Pak-Afghan Friendship Hospital at Torkham. Afghan patients arriving in Pakistan via the crossing point will be provided medical facilities in the hospital.
Last night, on September 18, 2019, PM Imran Khan also called Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and offered his condolences regarding the loss of lives due to terrorist attacks in Parwan and Kabul. Peace process and upcoming Afghan elections also came under discussion. President Ghani requested Pakistan’s Prime Minister to facilitate Afghanistan in the wake of presidential elections ahead. PM Khan responded positively.
It is hoped that these major confidence-building measures by the Government of Pakistan will help in further strengthening of the bilateral relations between the two sides. Moreover, it will pave the way for comprehensive engagements in all the domains; bilateral trade in particular.
© Afghan Studies Center (ASC), Islamabad.
