Following an attack by Afghan taliban forces on Pakistani soldiers, the Turkham crossing has remained closed to all traffic.
On both sides of the crossing, hundreds of passengers, patients, and cargo trucks are stuck, and significant financial losses have been incurred.
Passengers, merchants, and drivers are asking Pakistan not to use trade as a tool of politics or war.
Baba Murad, a resident of Takhar province suffering from cancer, has been stuck in Jalalabad for four days due to the closure of the Turkham crossing.
He had secured a treatment appointment at a specialized cancer hospital in Pakistan, but with Turkham closed, two days of his treatment window have already passed. He now fears he will not reach treatment in time and that his life is at risk.
Baba Murad, the patient, said: “My appointment to see the doctor has passed, and even two days have passed beyond it. I was told to definitely return after forty days. Now the road is closed and I don’t know where to turn for treatment. If the route is not reopened, I may lose my life.”
Qand Agha, a passenger, also said: “My request is that Pakistan open the route. On this side, passengers are stranded; on that side too. Among them are patients. On both sides of the line lives a single people, and families across the border are related. Many problems have arisen for the people.”
Meanwhile, the Afghan taliban claims it has provided many facilities for travelers, patients, and traders along the Hypothetical Durand Line, but accuses the Pakistani side of always using these people as tools of pressure, causing substantial financial damage in the region.
