Over 4,000 Cargo Trucks Stranded on Both Sides of Torkham

The closure of the Torkham crossing has resulted in over 4,000 Afghan and Pakistani cargo trucks being stranded, causing significant losses to traders in both countries.

Khanjan Alokozai, the head of the Afghanistan-Pakistan Joint Chamber of Commerce, told that more than 150 Afghan commercial trucks had to be returned to Pakistan due to the spoilage of goods.

Alokozai said: “On a normal day, around 800 cargo trucks pass through the Torkham crossing in both directions. Now, after six days of closure, more than 4,000 trucks are stranded on both sides.”

Torkham is a crucial trade and transit route between Afghanistan and Pakistan. However, it has been closed by Pakistan for nearly a week, halting all movement.

Some traders are urging authorities on both sides to take immediate action to resolve the issue. According to traders, some of their export goods have already perished.

“We are currently using alternative routes for imports and exports, but the costs are extremely high. We urge the leadership of both countries to facilitate transit not only at Torkham but also at Ghulam Khan, Dand-e-Patan, and Kharlachi crossings,” Omid Haidari, a businessman, told

“Hundreds of containers carrying essential goods such as fruits and vegetables are stuck in Pakistan, while our export goods are also stranded in Afghanistan. With Ramadan approaching, the people of Afghanistan need these essential supplies,” said Zalmai Azimi, another trader.

Pakistan closed the Torkham crossing last Friday after Islamic Emirate forces began constructing facilities on the Afghan side of the Durand Line.