Afghan-Pakistani border point reopens after 3-day closure

PESHAWAR, Pakistan – Pakistan and Afghanistan have reopened a major border crossing that was closed for three days over Pakistan’s construction of a fence near the disputed frontier.

A Pakistani army statement says the two sides agreed to reopen the Torkham crossing after a meeting between Afghan Ambassador Omer Zakhilwal and Pakistan’s military chief, Gen. Raheel Sharif. The crossing was reopened Friday evening.

Rahim Khan, an official in the Khyber tribal region, says the crossing was closed three days ago, leaving traffic backed up for several miles (kilometres) on both sides.

The two countries have a long-running dispute over the border, which was drawn during colonial times in the late 19th century.