Pakistan Signals Torkham Border May Reopen

Pakistan's Samaa TV reported on Saturday that authorities are considering reopening the Torkham crossing with Afghanistan on humanitarian grounds, after nearly 50 days of closure stalled trade and stranded hundreds of cargo trucks.

Customs officials told the channel that vehicles loaded with essential goods remain lined up on both sides, creating severe delays as winter demand rises.

The shutdown of all major crossings since early October has paralysed commercial movement, causing what traders say are millions of dollars in losses for businesses in both countries.

The report follows comments from Pakistan's foreign minister, Ishaq Dar, who said Islamabad was reviewing the continued blockage and had received a formal request from the United Nations to reopen the border for humanitarian purposes.

Dar said he discussed the matter with senior officials, warning that shortages of food and medical supplies could worsen inside Afghanistan if the closures remain in place.

The Taliban authorities have not issued any public statement on the possible reopening or broader easing of restrictions.

Business leaders and analysts say restoring basic cross-border movement would not only stabilize supply chains but also help cool tensions following weeks of political and security friction between Islamabad and Kabul.

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