May 10, 2025
By Mustafa Khan
PARACHINAR
The Kharlachi Terminal, located on the border shared with Afghanistan in District Kurram, has now been reopened for trade after a six-month closure. The development comes in the wake of heightened tensions with India that carried out strikes inside Pakistan on May 7.
Regular trading activities have now resumed at the border crossing that previously served as a vital trade route with Afghanistan for various commodities including fresh fruits, dried fruits, vegetables, other food items, and coal. However, due to deteriorating security conditions in Kurram, particularly stemming from sectarian violence between Sunni and Shia tribes, the Afghan border had remained closed to all forms of trade and movement for the past six to seven months.
Following consultations between district administration, security forces, and the provincial government—and taking into account the current situation with India—the Afghan border has been reopened for trade effective today. Local tribal elders have expressed joy over the reopening of the border.
Pakistani officials present at the reopening ceremony described the border as “a path of peace and love,” asserting that its reopening will benefit both the general public and traders.
Allauddin, a customs officer at the terminal spoke to Voicepk about it. “This will bring money into the national treasury through exports and imports. When this road opens fully, people will return to their livelihoods.”
Maulana Javed, spokesperson for Afghan border affairs, noted that the border had been closed for a long time, causing difficulties for people on both sides and affecting trade. He emphasized that the Afghan government wishes and strives to keep this route open and prevent such problems in the future.
“This border had been closed for a long time, causing difficulties for people on both sides and affecting trade. Now with the reopening of the border, problems on both sides will be eliminated,” he said. “We absolutely do not want people on either side to face difficulties, nor do we want Afghanistan’s neighbors to face hardship. We want good and improved relations with our neighbours,” he added.
Residents of border villages commented that reopening the Kharlachi border with Afghanistan is a positive step, particularly given the extremely tense conditions and potential for conflict along the eastern borders with India.
The reopening of the Pak-Afghan border has also sparked hope for the central Tal-Peshawar Highway, which has been closed to traffic for the past eight months, leaving residents of Kurram effectively isolated.
This development marks a significant step toward normalizing relations and restoring economic activity in a region that has long been troubled by sectarian violence. The reopening not only facilitates trade but also brings relief to local communities who have been caught in the crossfire of tribal conflicts between Sunni and Shia groups in the area.