By Sudhir Ahmad Afridi
The prolonged closure of the Torkham border has become more than a local dispute; it has evolved into a wider economic and humanitarian challenge affecting traders, transporters, laborers, and communities across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Thousands of families in Landi Kotal who depend on cross-border trade have seen their livelihoods disrupted, forcing many to raise their voices against a situation that threatens their economic survival. Yet the impact of the closure extends far beyond one town or a single group of traders. The western border stretches across a vast region, from Bajaur to Waziristan, where several crossing points and trade routes remain affected. The silence from many of these areas raises an important question: why has the economic hardship of border communities not received the wider attention it deserves?
Torkham is not merely a lifeline for Landi Kotal. It is a major commercial artery for the entire region and an important gateway connecting Pakistan with Afghanistan. Any disruption at this crossing affects supply chains, trade flows, and consumer markets across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The consequences are already becoming visible in everyday commerce. For years, affordable vehicle spare parts from Afghanistan reached markets across the province through Torkham, benefiting consumers and businesses alike. With the border closed, traders have increasingly turned towards markets in Rawalpindi and Lahore, raising costs and shifting commercial activity away from the region. As a result, economic opportunities are moving elsewhere while local communities are left struggling with unemployment and declining incomes.
The closure has also affected Pakistan’s own export interests. Afghan markets, once a significant destination for Pakistani goods, have witnessed a decline in supplies from across the border. Manufacturers and industrialists who relied on access to Afghanistan are facing losses as production and trade activity slow down. A policy intended to apply pressure on security grounds risks creating wider economic consequences if it is not accompanied by a careful diplomatic strategy. Security concerns cannot be ignored. If Afghan territory is being used against Pakistan, addressing that threat remains a legitimate priority for the state. No country can compromise on the safety of its citizens.
However, border closures alone cannot provide a sustainable solution. History shows that prolonged restrictions often create new economic and social pressures without necessarily resolving the underlying disputes. Engagement through dialogue remains essential. Difficult relations between neighboring countries are rarely improved through isolation alone. Pakistan and Afghanistan share geography, history, and economic interests, making continued communication unavoidable. Negotiations may be challenging and progress may be slow, but abandoning dialogue would only deepen mistrust.
At the same time, Pakistan must strengthen border management through improved surveillance, effective monitoring systems, and enhanced security arrangements. A balanced approach is needed—one that protects national interests while ensuring that ordinary communities do not become unintended victims of political and security disagreements. Afghanistan’s economic realities must also be understood with caution. As a landlocked country, Afghanistan depends heavily on regional connectivity, but it also maintains links with Central Asian states and Iran. The closure of one route does not completely halt economic activity, although it undoubtedly increases costs and creates difficulties for traders and consumers.
The deeper concern is that continued border restrictions may intensify frustration among communities that already face limited economic opportunities. People living along the frontier are often the first to experience the consequences of political decisions made far from their homes. Their livelihoods cannot be treated as a secondary consideration. The way forward requires a combination of firmness and engagement. Pakistan must address security challenges, but it must also recognize the importance of trade, connectivity, and people-to-people links. A permanently closed border serves neither economic interests nor regional stability.
Torkham has historically been a bridge between societies, not merely a line on a map. Keeping it closed for an extended period risks creating problems that may become more difficult to resolve in the future. Hunger, unemployment, and economic desperation can fuel resentment and instability. The challenge for policymakers is to ensure that security measures do not come at the cost of the very communities they are intended to protect.
(The writer is a senior journalist at tribal region, covers various beats, can be reached at news@metro-morning.com)
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