In Islamabad today, the Torkham border stayed shut for a seventh straight day, a move that’s hitting Pakistan’s trade and everyday life hard. The daily newspaper Dawn poured out new details: residents of the nearby Landi Kotal market report a sharp drop in sales—almost 50 percent—of everyday items that used to cross the border through Torkham.
The boundary between Pakistan and Afghanistan is a lifeline for the town. “We all depend on the trade that goes through Torkham,” says Awais Khan, a local grocery owner. “When the border closes, people lose the income they earned from buying and selling goods.” Without new consignments, villagers in Landi Kotal, who usually transport and sell goods to and from Afghanistan, are struggling to stay afloat.
Fruit vendors in the market point out one of the most visible changes: grapes and pomegranates—once bustling imports from Kabul—have nearly vanished. Because no new shipments arrive, the price of a kilogram of grapes has surged past 500 Pakistani rupees, while imported pomegranates are now around 600 rupees. The vendors say the stock is almost gone, leaving customers disappointed and suppliers cash‑strapped.
The closure also wrecks local transport services. Many trucks that were loaded with fresh produce’ve been forced to head back to Peshawar after a stalled wait of five to six days. “All that food has gone bad, and we’re losing money on the entire trip,” says a truck driver. Taxi drivers notice fewer passengers as cross‑border commuters cannot travel for work or trade.
Amid the economic strain, another piece of news brings a glimmer of hope. In Doha, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry announced that Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to an immediate ceasefire after a week of intense fighting that left dozens dead and hundreds wounded. The two sides also agreed to set up mechanisms to sustain peace, with follow‑up talks lined up soon. Delegations from both Islamabad and Kabul have already flown to Doha for talks mediated by Qatar and Turkey.
The conflict began when Pakistan launched airstrikes in Kabul, escalating tensions that resulted in the recent death of three Afghan cricketers during a raid in Paktika province. Both sides continue to accuse each other of provocation, but the ceasefire offers a brief respite and potentially a chance to reopen Torkham.
For now, Landi Kotal’s residents and traders hold on to hope that the front line will quiet and that the border will open again, restoring trade, livelihoods, and everyday peace.
Source: ianslive
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