Negotiations between Pakistani and Afghan jirgas to resolve the Torkham border dispute have collapsed. Sources revealed that the Afghan delegation walked out of the talks, blaming Pakistan for not treating the dialogue with seriousness.
The ongoing Torkham border dispute began 19 days ago. It started when Afghan forces allegedly began building structures inside Pakistani territory near the Torkham crossing. This move sparked a strong objection from Pakistan.
Tensions quickly escalated. In response, trade activities and cross-border movement were suspended. The border closure has severely affected businesses and stranded many travellers on both sides of the crossing.
To defuse the situation, both countries agreed to form jirgas four days ago. These peace committees included tribal elders, officials, and local businessmen. The aim was to find a peaceful solution to the Torkham border dispute.
Two days ago, in the first round of dialogue, both sides agreed on a ceasefire and pledged to continue talks. Since then, the ceasefire has remained in place.
After seeking direction from Afghan authorities in Kabul and Jalalabad, the Afghan jirga returned to the Torkham post for the next round of discussions. The talks were expected to decide on reopening the border and resolving the territorial issue.
However, the talks failed to move forward. The Afghan delegation claimed that Pakistan had expanded its list of participants without informing them. They said they waited for two hours but no progress was made. Frustrated, the Afghan jirga left the venue and returned to Kabul. They accused Pakistan of weakening the negotiation process.
Sayed Jawad Hussain Kazmi, the Pakistani jirga leader and adviser to the Federation of Chambers of Commerce, acknowledged the concerns raised by the Afghan side. He admitted that Pakistan’s expansion of the delegation had not been communicated properly.
Kazmi stressed that the Torkham border dispute is not just a local matter. It directly impacts trade, diplomatic ties, and economic relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan. He reiterated that talks are the only solution and promised to continue efforts to bring the Afghan jirga back to the negotiating table.
He also confirmed that Pakistani officials remained in contact with Afghan counterparts throughout the day. However, by the time the issue was clarified, the Afghan team had already returned to Kabul.
The Torkham border dispute remains unresolved. The crossing is still closed, causing huge financial losses to traders and creating hardship for thousands of passengers stranded on both sides. The border row has become a serious concern for regional peace and economic activity.
