Peshawar: Pakistan has decided to temporarily reopen Torkham border crossing with Afghanistan on Saturday morning to allow the return of Afghan refugees stranded for days amid tightened border controls, according to government and border officials.
Officials confirmed that the border will open at 9 a.m. local time on November 1, but only for Afghan nationals returning to their home country. Authorities have directed customs and border staff to report for duty, ensuring a controlled and secure process.
The export gate on the Pakistani side will open, while the import gate will remain closed preventing entry from Afghanistan into Pakistan.
Refugees Stranded Amid Prolonged Closure
Thousands of Afghan refugees have been stranded in vehicles and on roads near the border after Pakistan intensified its deportation campaign against undocumented migrants. The prolonged closure of the Torkham route a major crossing point between the two countries has caused severe humanitarian strain, with families waiting in harsh conditions to cross back into Afghanistan.
Humanitarian Grounds Prompt Decision
Sources in Islamabad said the decision to reopen the border came in response to “special humanitarian requests” from Kabul and several third countries. A senior border officer stated that Pakistan remains committed to facilitating the “orderly and dignified return” of Afghan nationals while maintaining strict security protocols.
Afghan Officials Welcome Partial Reopening
In Peshawar, Afghan Counsel General Hafiz Mohammadullah Shakir earlier urged Pakistan to reopen the Torkham road to ease refugee movement. Afghan Ambassador to Islamabad, Sardar Ahmad Shakib, also voiced concern that despite the road closures, arrests of Afghan migrants continued. However, both diplomats acknowledged the partial reopening as a step toward easing the crisis.
Trade and Transit Remain Suspended
Despite the reopening for refugees, trade and regular cross-border movement will remain suspended. Commercial activities and pedestrian travel from both sides will stay closed until further notice. Officials clarified that the reopening does not signal a broader policy change but serves as a temporary measure to manage the refugee outflow humanely.
Government Reaffirms Commitment to Security
Authorities emphasized that Pakistan will continue to enforce its border regulations strictly. “We are determined to facilitate the dignified repatriation of Afghan nationals without compromising national security,” said Abdullah Farooqi, spokesperson for the border police.
Background
The Torkham crossing, located between Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province, is a key trade and transit route. Its closure earlier this month disrupted the movement of goods and people, adding pressure to both countries amid an ongoing deportation drive targeting undocumented Afghan refugees in Pakistan.
