At the Pakistan-Afghan border, all looks normal at first sight until you notice the tri-colour flag of the Republic of Afghanistan has been replaced with the white flag of the Islamic Emirates of Afghanistan and in place of the Afghan border security there now stand gun-toting bearded Taliban militants.
The Taliban are now in control of Torkham – which is the busiest crossing with Pakistan. Only a few days ago, hundreds of panicked Afghan civilians gathered here for days in a desperate search for a way out.
Then the inevitable happened, the outnumbered Afghan police forces surrendered to the Taliban. Pakistan, worried about a possible fighting spillover, had shut its side of the border prior to the Taliban’s takeover but after brief closure it was reopened for trade and restricted pedestrian movement.
Normally, about 6 000 – 7 000 people would travel between the two countries daily but today there are hardly 50 people standing on the Afghanistan side to enter Pakistan, which is taking longer than usual as Pakistani security officials are concerned that militants might attempt to enter disguised as civilians.
Torkham has been the main point of refugees’ influx into Pakistan for decades but now the number of Afghans seeking refuge is much lower.
The Taliban are not letting anyone out, only traders or those with valid travel documents are allowed to cross.
Sources: BBC
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