ISLAMABAD — Representatives from Afghanistan and Pakistan reached an agreement to reopen the Torkham border crossing, establish a temporary ceasefire, and halt the construction of disputed border facilities, Pakistani media reported.
During the meeting, held at the Torkham border, the Taliban requested until the end of the day to dismantle the contested structures, according to officials familiar with the discussions.
A total of 60 delegates attended the meeting, including 35 representatives from Pakistan and 25 from Afghanistan, consisting of tribal elders and business leaders from both sides.
Under the agreement, the fate of the disputed border structures will be postponed until the next session of a joint coordination committee. The bilateral chamber of commerce, in its upcoming meeting, will seek a permanent resolution to the issue.
According to the decision, Torkham will remain open for trade and travel until that meeting is held, with the exact date to be determined through mutual consultation.
Additionally, Pakistani officials and Taliban border forces are expected to hold further talks on Monday night to finalize details of the reopening. Once that meeting concludes, the border is set to reopen for all movement.
Torkham, a key trade route between Afghanistan and Pakistan, has been closed for 25 days, causing millions of dollars in financial losses for businesses on both sides. The closure has also worsened tensions between Pakistan and the Taliban, with previous talks failing due to the Taliban’s absence.
This was the second formal meeting between Afghan and Pakistani representatives after the earlier round of negotiations was canceled due to the Taliban’s nonparticipation.
