Pakistan Reopens Key Border Crossing with Afghanistan

Pakistani authorities have reopened the Torkham border crossing with Afghanistan after a 20-day closure, allowing the deportation of undocumented Afghan nationals residing in Pakistan.

According to Khyber Deputy Police Commissioner Bilal Shahid, the crossing has been reopened exclusively for the expulsion of illegal Afghan refugees, while trade and pedestrian movement remain suspended.

Shahid stated that hundreds of Afghan nationals have already arrived at the Torkham migration center, where immigration officials are completing necessary procedures before allowing them to cross into Afghanistan.

He clarified that the border will remain closed for all other activities, including trade and civilian travel, until further notice.

The Torkham crossing was shut down on October 11 following escalating border tensions that led to armed clashes between Pakistani and Afghan forces.

Islamabad has accused the Afghan Taliban of harboring militants from the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a group responsible for a surge in domestic violence. Kabul, in turn, denies the allegations and accuses Pakistan of supporting attacks inside Afghanistan carried out by the Islamic State’s Khorasan Province affiliate.