Protest demands Torkham reopening

Demonstrators warn of indefinite sit-in if pedestrian movement and trade are not restored

KHYBER:

A large protest gathering was held at Bacha Khan Chowk in Landi Kotal tehsil of Khyber district against the nearly 10-month closure of the Torkham border. Political and social activists, tribal elders, members of the trading community, customs clearing agents, transporters, labour organisations, youth and leaders of various political parties from all three tehsils of the district attended in large numbers.

Participants demanded the immediate reopening of the Torkham border for pedestrian movement and bilateral trade. They warned that if the border was not restored, an indefinite sit-in would be staged on the Pak-Afghan highway.

Addressing the gathering, All Torkham Customs Clearing Agents Chairman Merajuddin Shinwari, Bara Political Alliance President Hashim Afridi, Jamaat-e-Islami Khyber District Ameer Shah Faisal Afridi, Awami National Party provincial leader Shah Hussain Shinwari, former tehsil chairman Haji Shah Khalid Shinwari, Mujib Shinwari, Murad Hussain Afridi, Israr Shinwari, Tariq Afridi, Maulana Shoaib Qadri and other speakers said the prolonged closure had virtually paralysed border trade. Thousands of people had lost their livelihoods while hundreds of thousands more were facing indirect economic hardship. The speakers said the shutdown had inflicted severe damage on the economy of Khyber and other tribal districts, leaving thousands of families dependent on border-related work in deep financial crisis.

They noted that everyone knew the reasons behind the border closure, yet no effective progress was visible at the government level. The speakers questioned why the issue was not being taken seriously in the National Assembly, Senate and high-level government meetings, adding that mere statements and social media reactions could not resolve public problems.

Participants pointed out that despite Khyber district having two senators, one National Assembly member, four MPAs and the chief minister belonging to the area, people continued to struggle for solutions to their basic economic problems. Elected representatives, they said, must take practical steps to address issues of livelihood, trade and the border regions.

Jamaat-e-Islami Khyber District Ameer Shah Faisal Afridi said the protest against the Torkham closure should have begun much earlier. He stated that JI had raised its voice on various forums, staged protests and held press conferences for the restoration of the border and other public issues. The closure, he added, had affected the legitimate livelihoods of thousands and limited educational and economic opportunities. He urged the public to rise above political affiliations and unite for their collective rights.

Bara Political Alliance President Hashim Afridi appreciated the public turnout but expressed regret over the absence of elected assembly members. He said if elected representatives lacked the capacity to resolve public issues, they should reconsider their positions. The border closure had affected thousands of families and rising unemployment was contributing to unrest and other social problems. He warned that if the demands were not met, the protest would be expanded across all three tehsils of the district.

Maulana Shoaib Qadri described the Torkham border as the economic lifeline of the region. Its closure, he said, had increased unemployment after the border had long served as a major source of livelihood. He called on the government to review existing policies and take immediate steps to end the economic hardships faced by the people, stressing the need for national unity in the pursuit of rights.

Former tehsil chairman Haji Shah Khalid Shinwari said closing the border was tantamount to paralysing the economic life of ordinary people.