Protest in Landi Kotal Demands Reopening of Pak-Afghan Torkham Border Amid Economic Strain
Independent Report
Khyber, 16 November 2025
Landi Kotal, Khyber District: A large-scale protest was held at Bacha Khan Chowk in Landi Kotal against the ongoing closure of the Pak-Afghan Torkham border and recent tensions that have caused severe economic disruption for local communities. The demonstration, organized by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI), saw participation from people across various sects and professional backgrounds.
Addressing the protesters, key speakers including Mufti Ijaz Shinwari, Mirajuddin (Chairman of the Customs Clearing Agents Association), President Mujeeb Shinwari, Maulana Ali Ahmad Banuri, Tehsil Chairman Shah Khalid Shinwari, Haji Banaras, Aqib Darwish, Maulana Azim Shah, Youth MPA Ashfaq Ahmed, and Qari Nazim Gul Shinwari emphasized that the closure of the Torkham border amounts to economic terrorism against local communities and must be reversed immediately.
The speakers urged that the border be reopened unconditionally within three days and highlighted that hundreds of Pakistanis remain stranded in Afghanistan while Afghan travelers are trapped in Pakistan. They called on both governments to allow safe passage as a gesture of goodwill.
The protestors condemned recent irresponsible statements by Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif and Afghanistan’s Minister Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, stressing that Pakistan and Afghanistan are brotherly Muslim nations. They made it clear that war is not a solution and that long-standing social and economic ties should not be undermined.
The speakers further highlighted the critical economic dependence of Landi Kotal residents on the Torkham border, stating that thousands of local laborers, clearing agents, traders, and transporters have been left unemployed due to the closure. They stressed that conflict only exacerbates problems, whereas dialogue and a soft policy approach with Afghanistan would help restore brotherly relations and safeguard livelihoods.
The protest concluded with a strong message urging governments on both sides to prioritize dialogue over confrontation and to reopen the border immediately to prevent further economic devastation.
