In a significant step toward de-escalating tensions, tribal councils from Pakistan and Afghanistan have brokered a ceasefire agreement following a series of jirgas—traditional assemblies—held along their volatile border. The deal, finalized on March 17, 2025, paves the way for the reopening of the Torkham border crossing, a vital artery for trade and travel that has been shuttered amid recent hostilities. The resolution marks a rare moment of cooperation between the two neighboring nations, whose relationship has long been strained by security concerns, territorial disputes, and economic challenges.
The jirgas, convened over several days, brought together influential tribal elders, local leaders, and representatives from both sides of the Durand Line, the contentious boundary separating Pakistan and Afghanistan. The talks were spurred by a recent flare-up of violence, including cross-border skirmishes and militant activity, which had disrupted the flow of goods and displaced dozens of families. The closure of Torkham, one of the busiest crossing points, had exacerbated economic woes, stranding truckers and hiking prices for essential commodities like fuel and food on both sides.
According to sources close to the negotiations, the ceasefire agreement hinges on mutual commitments to halt hostilities and bolster security measures along the frontier. Pakistani officials have pledged to crack down on insurgent groups exploiting the porous border, while Afghan leaders vowed to prevent their territory from being used as a launchpad for attacks. “This is a victory for peace and pragmatism,” said Malik Sher Khan, a prominent Pakistani tribal elder who participated in the jirgas. “The people on both sides want stability, not strife.”
The reopening of Torkham is expected to bring immediate relief to traders and residents who rely on the crossing for their livelihoods. The border post, located in Pakistan’s Khyber district, facilitates the movement of hundreds of vehicles daily, carrying everything from fresh produce to construction materials. Its closure had sparked protests from local merchants, who argued that the blockade was choking their businesses. “We’ve lost weeks of income,” said Gulzar Ahmad, a truck driver based in Peshawar. “This agreement can’t come soon enough.”
Analysts see the truce as a fragile but promising development in Pakistan-Afghanistan relations, which have been marred by mistrust since the Taliban’s return to power in Kabul in 2021. Islamabad has repeatedly accused the Afghan Taliban of harboring Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants, a charge Kabul denies. Meanwhile, Afghanistan has criticized Pakistan’s border fencing efforts, viewing them as an attempt to formalize a historically disputed line. Against this backdrop, the jirga-led ceasefire offers a grassroots alternative to high-level diplomacy, which has often faltered.
While the agreement has been hailed as a breakthrough, challenges remain. Both sides must navigate the delicate task of enforcing the truce amid ongoing militant threats and political pressures. Observers warn that without sustained dialogue and coordination, the ceasefire could unravel as quickly as it was forged. For now, however, the reopening of Torkham stands as a beacon of hope, signaling that even in a region scarred by conflict, local solutions can light the way forward.
