Pakistan: Clashes erupt at Pakistan-Afghanistan border on Durand Line after Torkham Gate closed

People from both sides of the border started fighting at the top.

“One of them belongs to Pakistan and another to our Defense Ministry,” said Karimullah Agha, an intelligence officer at the gate.

The closure of the gate caused problems for many people who needed medical care abroad and their relatives traveling with them. They urged both sides to reach an agreement on reopening the gate.

“There should be pressure on Pakistan to let the patients in. There are two to three people accompanying the patients. Pakistan is not treating us well,” said Najibullah, a patient.

“Based on the agreement reached between Afghanistan and Pakistan, 100 to 150 people should be allowed through the gate,” said Abdul Malik Samsor, a patient.

This comes as the Afghan Chamber of Commerce and Investment said the gate closure was affecting the country. According to ToloNews, the Taliban shut the door after Pakistan denied Afghan patients access to the gate. Meanwhile, Dawn reported that the Afghan Taliban had closed the gateway to Pakistan and accused Islamabad of failing to honor its commitments.

Even Dawn also said that the Taliban Commissioner in Torkham Maulavi, Mohammad Siddique, tweeted: “Pakistan has not honored its commitments and therefore the gate has been closed on orders from (our) leadership”.

He advised Afghans to avoid travel to the border crossing in eastern Nangarhar province.