The Torkham crossing has remained closed for the second consecutive day, causing significant difficulties for travellers and patients.
Police spokesman Syed Tayeb Hamad confirmed the key route between the neighbouring countries stayed shut on Sunday.
He told Pajhwok Afghan News local officials had held talks with the Pakistani side on Saturday on reopening the busy route, but no progress had been made so far.
Meanwhile, Torkham Commissar Mullah Abdul Jabbar Hikmat stated Pakistan shut down the route whenever Afghanistan constructed facilities on its side of the Durand Line.
“We are building facilities and they closed the route to stop our work. If they construct facilities, we tell them: ‘If you don’t allow us, then don’t build on your side either. But if you are constructing, then let us do the same on our side,’” he remarked.
Hikmat urged Pakistan to separate trade and civilian movement from politics and not to create unnecessary hardships for people.
On the other hand, residents of Nangarhar, patients and travellers waiting to cross into Pakistan called for the immediate reopening of the route.
Samiullah, a resident of Samangan province who planned to take his child to Pakistan for medical treatment, has been stranded for two days.
He has been staying in a hotel in Jalalabad, incurring additional expenses while his child’s health deteriorates. He urged Pakistan to reopen the route as soon as possible.
Similarly, Abdul Qayyum, a resident of Logar province who travelled to Torkham intending to enter Pakistan, was also stopped on Saturday. He spent a night in Torkham, hoping in vain the crossing would reopen.
He urged Pakistan to keep politics out of trade and transportation, ensuring the smooth movement of people.
Pakistan has repeatedly closed the Torkham crossing in the past under various pretexts, causing significant hardships for travellers and traders.
kk/mud
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