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Torkham Border Closure Crushes Porters, Fuels Despair and Drug Abuse in Pakistan

The prolonged closure of the Torkham border has plunged hundreds of Pakistani daily-wage workers and porters into severe financial crisis, with many losing their livelihoods. Workers report being forced to borrow money, withdraw children from school due to unpaid fees, and suffer debilitating mental stress, with some turning to drugs. Community leaders fear this desperation could make jobless youth vulnerable to recruitment by terrorist groups or drug peddling rings. The crisis stems from long-standing tensions, including a 2016 visa policy and recent military clashes that have shut down a critical trade and employment corridor.

Key Points: Border Closure Cripples Pakistani Porters, Sparks Fear of Extremism

  • Lost livelihoods & rising debt
  • Children pulled from school
  • Mental stress leading to drug abuse
  • Fears of terrorist group recruitment
  • Rooted in 2016 visa policy & recent clashes
2 min read

Daily wage workers, porters in Pakistan facing financial problems due to Torkham border closure

Pakistan's Torkham border shutdown leaves daily-wage workers destitute, forcing children out of school and raising fears of drug abuse and terrorist recruitment.

"We fear that some young tribesmen will be employed as drug peddlers as narcotics dealers offer them good wages. - Ali Shinwari, Association Leader"

Islamabad, Dec 30

Hundreds of daily-wage workers and porters in Pakistan are facing financial problems due to the continued closure of the Torkham border as they have lost their part-time jobs, local media reported on Monday.

As the Torkham border remains shut due to tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, the majority of these labourers are looking for jobs in Punjab and Sindh, while others have borrowed money from relatives and friends to manage their daily expenses. They have even stopped sending children to schools as they do not have money to pay fees, the Dawn reported. Reportedly, some jobless daily-wagers and porters have started taking drugs as they are facing mental stress.

Speaking to Dawn, Mansoor Ali stated that he abandoned his FSc computer science course midway due to poverty and started carrying the luggage of Afghan and Pakistani nationals between the border point and the taxi stand for little money.

The 24-year-old, who has been married for only eight months, said he was having sleepless nights due to mental stress after losing his job following the border closure. He said he has already borrowed money from his relatives to manage the expenses of his family.

Torkham Labourers and Porters Association leader Ali Shinwari expressed fear that the young jobless labourers could join proscribed terrorist groups, which want to exploit the distressing conditions of such frustrated youth. "We also fear that some young tribesmen will be employed as drug peddlers as narcotics dealers offer them good wages," he said.

The problems for these daily wagers, the majority of them unskilled people, started in 2016 when Pakistan announced a visa policy for Afghan and Pakistani nationals commuting between Afghanistan and Pakistan via the Torkham border.

Earlier in October, Pakistan shut all trade routes with Afghanistan after Pakistani forces conducted attacks near the Durand Line. In response to Pakistan's attacks, Afghan forces also carried out attacks. After the closure of the trade route, Afghanistan's Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhun,d urged industrialists and traders to use alternative trade routes instead of Pakistan.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
The part about children being pulled out of school is heartbreaking. Education is the only way out of poverty for these families. The cycle just continues. The association leader's fears about youth being exploited by terror groups are also very real and concerning for regional stability.
V
Vikram M
It's a complex issue. From an Indian perspective, we see how border tensions directly impact human lives. Mansoor's story is one of thousands. When diplomacy fails, it's always the poor who pay the price. Governments need to have better social safety nets for such vulnerable populations during closures.
R
Rohit P
The article mentions the visa policy from 2016. Often, well-intentioned policies have unintended consequences for daily wage earners. While regulation is needed, there should have been a phased implementation or alternative employment plans. Now the youth are turning to drugs out of despair – a terrible situation.
P
Priya S
This highlights why regional trade and connectivity are so crucial for South Asia. When borders close, dreams close. That young man had to leave his computer science course! Imagine the potential lost. We in India also have border communities whose lives depend on cross-border movement. Empathy is needed.
M
Michael C
A respectful criticism: The article focuses on the symptoms (poverty, drugs) but could delve deeper into the root cause—the political tensions and the Durand Line dispute. Also, what are the local NGOs or community groups doing to help? That perspective is missing. Nonetheless, a very human story.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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