Peshawar / Quetta: Pakistan has today reopened the Torkham border crossing to facilitate the repatriation of undocumented Afghan nationals after nearly three weeks of closure, officials said on Friday. The move comes as part of Islamabad’s ongoing effort to repatriate Afghan citizens residing illegally in the country. According to official sources, more than 10,700 Afghans crossed back into Afghanistan through the Chaman border on Saturday. Authorities said that so far, around 1.56 million Afghans have returned to their homeland under the government’s repatriation campaign.
Officials said they process each returnee under legal immigration procedures. “We do not allow anyone to cross without document verification,” a senior border officer said, adding that security forces and the civil administration jointly manage the process.
Humanitarian Arrangements at Border Points
To ensure an orderly transition, Pakistan’s Frontier Corps and civil authorities have set up temporary shelters and food facilities for families waiting to cross. Local administration teams are also assisting vulnerable individuals, including women and children, as they prepare to leave.
Border Reopened After Tensions
Border authorities closed the Torkham crossing, one of the busiest routes between Pakistan and Afghanistan, for 20 days following tensions linked to reported cross-border firing. While officials have now reopened the border for Afghan repatriation, they confirmed that they continue to suspend trade convoys and pedestrian traffic for security reasons.
Earlier in October, diplomatic officials from both countries agreed to reopen the crossing once they completed security and logistical arrangements. Customs authorities have restored operations and scanning systems and staff from border management agencies have resumed their duties.
Ongoing Regional Coordination
Authorities in Islamabad say the repatriation process will continue in coordination with Afghan officials to ensure safe and dignified returns. Pakistan has maintained that the campaign targets only those lacking legal documentation and that the process will remain consistent with international humanitarian norms.
