KHYBER: After a 20-day closure, Pakistan has reopened the Torkham border crossing, but only to facilitate the deportation of Afghan nationals residing illegally in the country.
Large numbers of Afghan refugees have gathered at the Torkham border to return to Afghanistan. However, both trade activities and pedestrian crossings will continue to remain suspended.
Deputy Commissioner of Khyber District, Bilal Shahid, confirmed that the border’s reopening is limited to the repatriation of undocumented Afghans. He noted that immigration officials at the Torkham center are processing the necessary paperwork before allowing refugees to cross into Afghanistan.
Shahid emphasized that the border will stay closed for commercial transport and regular movement of people until further notice.
The Torkham crossing was originally sealed on October 11 following escalating tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
According to UNHCR spokesperson Qaiser Khan Afridi, as of October 8, around 615,000 undocumented Afghan citizens had already been sent back to Afghanistan through this border point.
