Protesters in the Lundi Kotal market of Khyber, Pakistan have called on the government to reopen the closed Torkham border gate as soon as possible.
On October 29, political and tribal leaders addressed a protest gathering of hundreds of people. During the speech, Mufti Muhammad Ijaz Shinwari, a political leader, accused the government of closing the trade route between the two countries whenever fresh vegetables and fruits are in season in Afghanistan.
“You look at the history of the past 10 or 15 years, whenever the season of grapes or apples starts in Afghanistan, artificial war or violence is created here, which ruins the traders who have orchards there, as well as the farmers and horticulturists of that place.”
He added that the entire financial livelihood of the people and the market of Lundi Kotal depends on the Torkham route, and its closure has not only affected thousands of labourers but also caused losses for shopkeepers.
A tribal leader, Miraj Uddin, while addressing the gathering, said that labourers have been left jobless due to the closure of Torkham.
“The daily wage earners, labourers, and porters have no work and no food at home. It’s been three weeks since the route was closed, where will these people go?”
However, a Torkham customs official, denied the allegations made by the speakers, saying that the claims that the Pakistani government deliberately closes the Torkham route during the fruit and vegetable season are baseless.
He added that recently, there were clashes between Pakistani forces and militants, and they closed the gate as a precautionary measure to prevent further casualties. Due to the conflict, not only Torkham but other trade routes were also closed.
According to a report on the evening of October 17, 10 people, including women and children, were killed and 13 others were injured in Pakistani airstrikes in Argun and Bermal districts of Paktika.
