Pakistan and Afghanistan reached a ceasefire on Monday on the Torkham border tensions. It will remain until March 11.

It was reached after a jirga meeting aimed at easing tensions between Pakistani and Afghan forces took place at the border. A decision will be made regarding the reopening of the Torkham trade crossing later.

Representatives, including tribal elders and traders, from both nations had convened at the Torkham terminal, sources said. The jirga from the Khyber district includes 40 members, comprising tribal leaders, scholars, and traders while the Afghan delegation had 25 members.

Mlitary constructions on both sides of the border will be prohibited during this ceasefire period.

Jirga members will assess the disputed constructions by Afghan forces on March 11. The Torkham border will be opened after resolving disputes related to these constructions.

Security situation in Kurram remains ‘unstable’

Meanwhile, the security situation in the Kurram district has not returned to normal. The Thal Parachinar main highway and the Kharlachi border have been closed for the past 162 days.

Basic necessities have become scarce, with sugar, flour, ghee, and other essential items missing from the market. A 50kg bag of sugar is being sold for Rs13,000.

Residents are facing a crisis regarding cooking oil, fuel, and Ramazan essentials. Prices have surged dramatically, with ghee at Rs500, butter at Rs800, onions and tomatoes at Rs300 per kilo, oranges at Rs600 per dozen, apples ranging from Rs400 to Rs799 per kilo, small meat priced at Rs2,500, and bone-in meat at Rs1,500.

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Teacher unions stated that the lack of petrol and diesel has made it extremely difficult for students and teachers to reach schools, with attendance in schools and colleges being less than 10% despite their reopening.

Petrol and diesel are being sold for Rs1,000, and teachers have called on relevant authorities to ensure the supply of fuel for students and teachers.

The closure of the Kharlachi border has halted import and export activities for the past five months, causing traders to incur billions of rupees in losses.

The trade union in Parachinar has urged for the Kharlachi border to be opened for all types of trade.