Pakistan Opens Largest Checkpoint at Afghanistan Border

Pakistan has opened the "Torkham" control checkpoint at the border with Afghanistan. This was reported by the Dawn publication, as informed by Armenpress.

The "Torkham" checkpoint is considered the main and most heavily trafficked control point on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. It had been closed since August 15, when the Taliban took control of the border facility.

According to Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, the head of Pakistan's Ministry of Interior, the border was closed after the Afghan police surrendered to the Taliban. As per the publication, the border has been open for the movement of people and vehicles. Customs representatives reported that since the reopening, more than 720 trucks have crossed in and out of Pakistan through the border checkpoint.

The situation in Afghanistan has especially worsened in recent weeks, due to the Taliban's attacks on major cities. On August 15, media sources reported that the insurgents control all border crossings. Later that day, militants announced they had entered Kabul and taken control of the presidential palace.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has stated that he left the country "to prevent bloodshed." Late on the night of August 16, Mohammad Naeem, the official spokesperson for the Taliban's political office, announced that the war in Afghanistan has ended, and the form of governance will be clarified soon.