Peshawar: Pakistani authorities have established a new 26-member jirga to engage in further discussions with Afghan representatives regarding the reopening of the Torkham border. This move follows positive indications from Afghanistan after the abrupt postponement of the second round of talks on March 12 due to a misunderstanding.
Sources revealed that the revised jirga includes experienced tribal elders and key local traders, many of whom are affiliated with the Khyber Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Authorities are currently finalizing the list of members, as Afghan officials had requested the names ahead of the next meeting, expected to take place today (Monday) in Afghanistan.
The first meeting, held on March 9 at Torkham, brought together a 57-member Pakistani jirga comprising traders, transporters, tribal elders, local government officials, and clerics. Their Afghan counterparts, mainly from the Afghan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, also participated. The discussions aimed at resolving the ongoing border closure, which was imposed by Pakistan on February 21 after Afghanistan began construction work near the crossing without prior consultation.
Pakistani security officials objected to this construction, citing a violation of established border agreements, which require mutual consultation before any structural changes. During the initial meeting, Pakistani representatives emphasized the need to adhere to these protocols, making the border’s reopening conditional on halting any new security-related construction on the Afghan side.
Both sides had agreed to reconvene on March 12 in Afghanistan. However, the meeting was unexpectedly canceled due to miscommunication by a non-local member of the Khyber Chamber, which caused frustration among the Pakistani delegates. Security officials were also displeased with the mishandling of information, leading to a decision to streamline the jirga by reducing its size and selecting members with a deeper understanding of border affairs and bilateral trade.
A senior member of the new jirga stated that the revamped delegation would have full authority to make on-the-spot decisions, ensuring more effective negotiations. He added that the previous jirga included some individuals lacking relevant experience, which contributed to the miscommunication that derailed the last meeting.
