Pakistan Bows to Taliban: Forms Committee to Open Border for Trade

Kabul: After months of maintaining a tough stance on halting trade, Pakistan is now showing signs of backing down. On January 5, both Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed to form a 13-member joint committee comprising business leaders from both sides to discuss the reopening of the border for trade. The border has been closed since October 2025 due to rising tensions following clashes over the issue of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) taking refuge in Afghanistan.

According to The Express Tribune, the joint committee includes six members from Pakistan and seven from Afghanistan. Syed Jawad Hussain Kazmi, who leads the Pakistani delegation, said that the main objective of the talks is to re-establish the Pakistan-Afghanistan trade route, resolve obstacles related to border management, and ensure the continuity of bilateral trade.

Hope for Border Reopening

Kazmi emphasized that a comprehensive and practical roadmap would be developed to address the ongoing issues faced by traders and the general public. He also noted that the Pakistani government has granted the committee full authority to ensure meaningful dialogue and take decisions. He expressed optimism about the reopening of key border posts, including Torkham, and the restoration of trade between the two nations.

After the escalation of tensions last year, all trade routes and movement between Pakistan and Afghanistan were completely shut down, resulting in significant financial losses for traders on both sides. Initially, Pakistan had insisted that it would not reopen the border until the issue of the TTP was resolved. However, facing severe economic losses, Pakistan is now willing to negotiate the reopening of the border.

Underlying Issues Between Pakistan and Afghanistan

The relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan has been strained since the October 2025 clashes at the border. Despite mediation efforts by countries like Turkey, Qatar, and the UAE, no agreement has been reached between the two sides. The root of the dispute lies in the armed group TTP.

Pakistan has accused the TTP of launching attacks on its security forces from Afghan territory. As a result, Pakistan has demanded a written commitment from the Taliban government in Afghanistan to control the TTP. However, the Taliban has refused to comply with this demand, leading to a continuous state of tension between the two countries.