Daily SumUp

A crucial border crossing between Pakistan and Afghanistan reopened on Wednesday after a weeks-long closure following a dispute over the construction of a checkpost by the Afghan side.

The much-awaited agreement was reached at a meeting of tribal elders from both sides held at the Afghanistan side of the border.

The border, which remained closed for 25 days over the construction of security checkpoints by the Afghan side, reopened at 4 p.m. (GMT1100) for trade transport, whereas the cross-border public movement will be allowed from March 31, Syed Jawad Hussain Kazmi, the head of the Pakistani delegation of tribal elders that took part in weeks-long talks, told Anadolu.

However, patients requiring immediate treatment will be allowed to enter Pakistan.

As part of the agreement, tribal elders on both sides decided to temporarily halt the disputed construction by Afghan forces.

Torkham is one of 18 crossings between the two neighbors, which have been locked in a border dispute for decades, leading to the frequent closure of land connections.