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The Pakistan-Afghanistan Torkham border has been reopened after eight days of closure, The Express Tribune reported on Friday.
The announcement came after both countries came to a mutual decision to resume movement on the crucial trade border. The Pakistan-based news daily reported that tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan Army subsided and vehicular and foot traffic resumed on the border. Border officials confirmed that vehicles are being allowed to move across the neighbouring countries after clearance, reportedExpress News. People who were struck for more than a week on the border were also permitted to crossover after strict inspection. Torkham border, a crucial border crossing between Pakistan and Afghanistan, remained blocked for the eighth day on Thursday, as discussions between the two parties were stalled, stranding commercial convoys and travellers, according to ARY News. Hundreds of vehicles carrying crucial products were trapped on both sides since the Torkham border crossing - one of the two main crossings between the neighbouring nations- was closed down following a dispute. Traders said that the fruits and vegetables in the trucks were getting spoiled. Citing sources, ARY News reported that a discussion was held between Pakistani and Afghan authorities regarding the closing of the Torkham border. However, sources said that talks between the two parties remained stalled. The latest stalemate arose as Taliban soldiers began erecting a new security station near the Torkham border, which Pakistan regards as a breach of mutual accords, according to ARY News. On Monday, Pakistan expressed surprise at the Afghan foreign ministry's statement over the Torkham border shutdown, stating that "interim Afghan authorities are fully aware of the reasons for the temporary closure."The Torkham crossing between Pakistan and Afghanistan remained closed to traffic for the seventh consecutive day. The Afghanistan-Pakistan border was closed after clashes were triggered by the construction of a new post along the border. The busy Torkham border crossing was closed on Wednesday after Pakistani and Afghan Taliban forces started firing at each other, according to local officials. On September 11, people in Afghanistan's Nangarhar held protests over the closure of the Torkham crossing. According to the protesters, Pakistan has regularly closed the Torkham border under various pretexts during the fruit and vegetable season. Protesters urged Afghan and Pakistani officials to resolve their political differences through diplomatic channels. (ANI)
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