Author: Sudhir Ahmad Afridi

By Sudhir Ahmad Afridi ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Afghanistan moved towards reopening routes linked to bilateral trade and transit following a joint meeting of government officials and traders chaired by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. The decision came amid calls for greater engagement between the two neighboring countries, with traders and experts stressing that the continued movement of goods was important for businesses and communities on both sides of the border. Officials and representatives of the trading community discussed the difficulties caused by disruptions to cross-border trade and transit. They considered ways to restore normal commercial activity and improve coordination between the…

By Sudhir Ahmad Afridi KHYBER: A protest gathering was held at Bacha Khan Chowk in Landi Kotal, Khyber district, against the closure of the Torkham border, which protesters said has continued for the past 10 months. The demonstration was attended by Torkham customs clearing agents, tribal youth, labor organizations, traders, political leaders, social figures and local elders. Speakers said the prolonged closure had severely disrupted cross-border trade, weakened the local economy and deprived thousands of families of their livelihoods. They urged the federal government and relevant authorities to reopen the Torkham border immediately for both pedestrian movement and bilateral trade,…

By Sudhir Ahmad Afridi KHYBER: A protest gathering was held at Bacha Khan Chowk in Landi Kotal, Khyber district, against the closure of the Torkham border, which protesters said has continued for the past 10 months. The demonstration was attended by Torkham customs clearing agents, tribal youth, labor organizations, traders, political leaders, social figures and local elders. Speakers said the prolonged closure had severely disrupted cross-border trade, weakened the local economy and deprived thousands of families of their livelihoods. They urged the federal government and relevant authorities to reopen the Torkham border immediately for both pedestrian movement and bilateral trade,…

By Sudhir Ahmad Afridi KHYBER: Markets across Khyber district remained closed on Tuesday as traders observed a complete shutter-down strike to protest against the federal government’s decision to impose taxes in the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and Provincially Administered Tribal Areas (PATA), while also demanding the full reopening of the Torkham border. The protest centred on Landi Kotal Bazaar, where traders and local residents gathered at Bacha Khan Chowk, rejecting the new tax measures and calling on the federal government to withdraw the decision immediately. Addressing the demonstration, representatives of the traders’ association and local social activists argued…

By Sudhir Ahmads Afridi KHYBER: A Rs720 million renovation project for the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital in Landi Kotal has been officially launched, with construction work scheduled to begin on Tuesday. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Auqaf and Religious Affairs Sahibzada Muhammad Adnan Qadri, Naveed Khan Afridi, brother of Chief Minister Suhail Afridi, Medical Superintendent Dr Jameel Khan and other officials. Speaking at the event, Qadri said the funding had been approved through the special efforts of the chief minister to modernise and upgrade the hospital’s facilities. Under the project, all hospital buildings will undergo…

By Sudhir Ahmad Afridi KHYBER: Traders and transport representatives have announced a public protest on 2 August against the prolonged closure of the Torkham border, warning that the disruption has triggered a deepening economic crisis for thousands of families dependent on cross-border trade. At a joint press conference at the District Press Club in Landi Kotal, leaders of the All Torkham Custom Clearing Agents Association, transport unions and labour organisations called for a protest gathering at 10am in Bacha Khan Chowk, urging political leaders, social activists, traders, transporters, workers and members of the public to take part. Association President Mujeeb…

By Sudhir Ahmad Afridi KHYBER: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government plans to establish a separate Directorate for Primary Schools as part of wider efforts to strengthen early education and improve learning standards across the province, Provincial Minister for Elementary and Secondary Education Arshad Ayub has announced. During a visit to Khyber district, the minister, accompanied by the relevant secretary, was briefed by District Education Officer (Male) Misri Khan and District Education Officer (Female) Nazakat Tabassum on the state of education and the key challenges facing schools in the district. Arshad Ayub said the government would prioritize addressing the shortage of teachers,…

By Sudhir Ahmad Afridi KHYBER: At least six people were killed and more than a dozen injured after torrential rain triggered flash floods across the Landi Kotal subdivision of Khyber district, causing widespread destruction and prompting renewed calls for permanent flood protection along the Pak-Afghan Highway. The heavy downpour damaged several link roads, while mud houses and the boundary walls of more than 10 homes either collapsed or were partially destroyed, leaving many families struggling to cope with the aftermath. Rescue 1122 teams launched emergency search and rescue operations at multiple locations, recovering the bodies of those who died and…

By Sudhir Ahmad Afridi LANDI KOTAL: The Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) Landi Kotal chapter has backed party chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s recent statement, rejecting what it described as a campaign of political propaganda and social media trials against him. Speaking at a crowded press conference held at the District Press Club Khyber in Landi Kotal, JUI-F leaders said the party respected the sacrifices of martyrs and would continue its struggle for peace, stability and the supremacy of law in the country. The press conference was attended by acting district chief Maulana Azmat, Mufti Ejaz Shinwari, General Secretary Maulana Azeem Shah, Qari…

By Sudhir Ahmad Afridi PESHAWAR: An All Parties Conference (APC), organised by the Khyber Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), has rejected the federal government’s decision to impose taxes on the erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and Provincially Administered Tribal Areas (PATA), demanding restoration of tax exemptions and implementation of commitments made at the time of their merger with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The conference, held at a private hall in Peshawar, was attended by representatives of business communities, district chambers of commerce, traders’ organisations, contractors’ associations, industrialists, prominent former parliamentarians from the merged districts and members of civil society. Participants,…