Afghans keen to swap fear for optimism

Brighter mood clear at border point as Pakistanis share in hopes for new start

ISLAMABAD－The Torkham border point between Pakistan and Afghanistan in Pakistan's northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province has seen many people moving in both directions since the Afghan Taliban's takeover of Kabul last month.

During a recent visit to the border, in a tribal town, Xinhua's reporters witnessed the return to normalcy in travel and trade between the two countries, with border guards on each side allowing travelers with valid documents to come and go.

People entering Pakistan and residents settled along the borderland stretch told Xinhua of their hopes that peace will prevail in Afghanistan with no foreign interference.