LANDIKOTAL
Local traders,social and plotical leaders organized a protest rally at Bacha Khan Chowk in Landikotal bazaar against the prolonged closure of the Pak-Afghan Torkham border and other crossing points.
People from various walks of life, including political parties, traders, labour unions and tribal elders participated in large numbers.
They were holding placards and banners with slogans in favour of repopening of all border crossings with Afghanistan.
The participants unanimously demanded the immediate reopening of the Torkham border, stating that the continued closure has become an “economic massacre” for the tribal areas. They said the shutdown has severely affected livelihoods and trade-dependent communities.
Addressing on the occasion, all borders coordinator council member and chief of North Waziristan Malik Roohullah, ANP provincial leader Shah Hussain Shinwari, Malik Masal Khan Shinwari, PTI’s Haji Zarbullah, Maulana Muhammad Shoaib Qadri, Israr Ahmed Shinwari, Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Murad Hussain Afridi, president of the customs clearing agents association Mujeeb Shinwari, chairman Mirajuddin Shinwari, tehsil chairman Shah Khalid Shinwari, JUI Ameer Maulana Aqibullah Darvesh, Qari Nazim Gul, PTM Khybrt coordinator Aftab Pashteen ANP’s Sattar Afghan, labour union leader Hazrat Salam, Fahmeed Khan and others.
The speakers said that the Torkham border was a major trade hub for tribal people and an important gateway to central Asia, providing livelihood to millions of citizens. They pointed out that due to the border remaining closed for 87 days, thousands of families have been pushed into unemployment, poverty and severe economic hardship.
They said that the ongoing conflicts and so-called cold war of global powers on Pashtun land have resulted in immense suffering, which is unacceptable. The speakers said that geopolitical rivalries, including the interests of major powers, were not in favour of the Pashtun region.
The protesters reaffirmed that tribal people were patriotic Pakistanis and desire peaceful, respectful relations with neighbouring Afghanistan. The speakers made it clear that the tribes did not want to be part of any war or conflict and believe that issues can only be resolved through meaningful and serious dialogue.
They demanded that tribal elders be included in Pak-Afghan dialogue so that sustainable and positive decisions can be made in light of ground realities. At the conclusion of the protest an appeal was made to the governments of both countries to immediately reopen the Torkham border in the larger economic interest of the people.
