The Torkham border between Pakistan and Afghanistan is ready to reopen Tuesday (today) after successful conversations during a Jirga between designated religious, political and stiff elders from both sides, announced the leader of the Pakistani delegation on Monday.

Pakistan -Delegation Manager Syed Jawad Hussain Kazmi told The Express Pakinomist that the Afghan side also agreed to stop illegal construction, and both parties decided that any future construction at the disputed border point would only continue with mutual consensus.

The Torkham border was closed on February 21, following rising tensions between the border forces in the two neighboring countries due to unauthorized construction of Afghan authorities near the border and violated an earlier agreement.

The situation escalated on March 4 when the interbidation of the intersection failed, which led to an exchange of fire between Pakistani security forces and the Afghan Taliban warriors. The clash resulted in the death of an Afghan border guard and damage to two others.

The 24-day closure of the border had resulted in suspension of all movements that affected trade and travel. With the latest agreement, however, both sides seemed obliged to solve their differences and reopen the boundary of mutual benefit.

The latest round of conversations was held in the Commissioner building on the Afghan side of the border. At the negotiations, Pakistan’s side was led by Kazmi. “The two sides agree to resume trade and people’s crossing,” Kazmi said.

“The Afghan side also agreed that illegal construction would also be stopped on the Afghan side, and Islamabad’s message would also be delivered to the authorities. [Pak-Afghan] Common Chamber of Commerce [JCC] Also agreed that the two sides would also stick to the ceasefire, ”he added.

The Afghan media also confirmed the reopening of the border from Tuesday (today). Tolo News reported on his site that Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment (ACCI) had announced the agreement to reopen the Torkham intersection.

“A meeting was held today in Torkham between both sides. The decisions made were positive and it is likely that the transition will open again today or tomorrow,” quote Tolonews a trader, Zalmai Azimi, who says. “Torkham opens again tomorrow [today] For all types of movement according to this Agreement. “

Khaamapress, another Afghan media offering, quoted officials from the Chamber of Commerce and investments in Nangarhar as saying that dealers and tribal elders from both countries had reached an agreement to reopen Torkham border crossing Tuesday (today).

“After today’s meeting, the Torkham border will officially reopen to transit tomorrow. This will give free movement of goods and people across the border, which brings much needed relief to the people who depend on this crossing for trade and travel,” the report states.

The Pakistani officials told Express Pakinomist that all sorts of trade, including the transit trade, remained stopped during the 24-day closure of the border. The cumulative losses for the national kitty due to the closure amounted to $ 72 million, said an official who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The reopening of the border would be welcome news for about 2 million people on both sides who would cross in front of Eidul Fitr. According to the officials, 10,000 people cross the Torkham limit point every day.

(With Input from News Desk)