Torkham Border Deadlock Deepens as Istanbul Talks Collapse

PESHAWAR- The Torkham border standoff has entered its 30th day, following the collapse of Pakistan–Afghanistan negotiations in Istanbul. Despite Turkish and Qatari mediation, the talks ended without a breakthrough, deepening economic and humanitarian crises on both sides of the border.

Traders Protest Border Closure

At the Torkham border, hundreds of customs agents, transporters, and traders staged a sit-in, demanding immediate reopening of the route. Protesters accused both governments of turning political disputes into collective punishment, as thousands of laborers and small business owners face financial devastation.

“For 30 days, our trucks have stood idle, our goods have rotted, and our workers have gone hungry,” said Shakir Khan Afridi, president of the Truck Owners Association. “If Islamabad and Kabul cannot resolve their issues, why should traders pay the price?”

Traders warned that if the standoff persists, they will expand their protest to other crossings and stage rallies in Peshawar and Jalalabad.

Istanbul Talks Fail to Produce Results

The Istanbul dialogue, intended to ease cross-border tensions after weeks of skirmishes, ended without a joint statement.

Pakistani officials accused the Taliban administration of ignoring Islamabad’s security concerns and harboring TTP elements, while Kabul alleged that Pakistan was weaponizing trade restrictions for political pressure.

Diplomatic sources revealed that even Turkish and Qatari mediators struggled to bridge the gap, and the session concluded amid visible frustration on both sides.

Economic Fallout: Millions in Daily Losses

The prolonged Torkham border closure, along with Chaman crossing, has brought bilateral trade to a halt. Before the standoff, around 2,000 trucks crossed daily, carrying millions in goods.
Now, hundreds remain stranded in harsh conditions, with Afghan exports — apples, grapes, and pomegranates — rotting in containers.

“Trade has become the first casualty of politics,” said Khan Jan Alkozai, former chairman of the Pakistan–Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry. “Every day of closure costs traders millions and erodes trust that took decades to build.”

In Khyber and Nangarhar, fuel and food prices have surged, while thousands of daily-wage workers — loaders, drivers, and porters — have lost their only income source.

Border Communities Struggle to Survive

In Landi Kotal, a grand jirga of elders and community leaders called for immediate reopening of the border, citing humanitarian concerns.
“The Torkham border is not just a trade route — it’s our lifeline,” said Shah Khalid Shinwari, a local leader. “Every family here depends on cross-border movement. The silence of trucks means hunger in our homes.”

Despite repeated assurances from both sides, no reopening date has been announced.

Strategic and Regional Implications

Analysts warn that the current deadlock could reshape regional trade dynamics. Afghanistan is increasingly diverting trade routes through Iran’s Chabahar Port, potentially reducing Pakistan’s role as Kabul’s main commercial partner.

The suspension of the Afghanistan–Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement (APTTA) has also cast doubt on future projects linked to the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and other Central Asian connectivity plans.

“Economic corridors rely on political trust — and that trust is vanishing fast,” noted a regional economist based in Islamabad. “If this continues, South and Central Asia’s integration goals will face a major setback.”

The Way Forward

Observers emphasize that renewed diplomacy remains the only path forward. Turkish and Qatari mediators are expected to propose another round of talks to defuse tensions.Traders’ unions are urging both governments to separate trade from politics, allowing cross-border commerce to resume even as security negotiations continue.
Laptop“The Torkham gate must open,” said a protest leader in Landi Kotal. “Borders are meant for trade and friendship, not punishment.”

The ongoing Torkham border closure and failed Istanbul talks underscore the fragile balance between diplomacy, security, and economy in South Asia. As livelihoods collapse and trucks remain idle, the crisis highlights an urgent truth — without mutual trust and dialogue, peace agreements will remain paper promises, and trade will continue to be the hostage of politics.