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7h ago

Pakistan Partially Reopens Torkham Border for Afghan Repatriations After 21-Day Shutdown

The move follows Istanbul mediation, with principals due to decide monitoring arrangements on Nov. 6.

A line of cargo trucks bound for Pakistan is stranded on the Afghan side of the Torkham border crossing, which remained closed after clashes, in Nangarhar province, Afghanistan, Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Wahidullah Kakar)
Torkham border reopens after 20 days for deportation of undocumented Afghans
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Overview

  • Officials said Torkham is open only to process undocumented Afghan nationals returning to Afghanistan, while cargo and routine travel remain suspended.
  • Deputy Commissioner Bilal Shahid reported hundreds arriving at the immigration center for processing on Saturday.
  • The crossings were sealed in mid-October after border clashes, and a ceasefire reached through Doha and upheld in Istanbul remains in effect.
  • A joint statement from Turkey and Qatar’s mediation affirmed plans for a monitoring and verification mechanism, with implementation details to be taken up at a Nov. 6 meeting in Istanbul.
  • The prolonged closure stranded thousands of people and hundreds of trucks, with UNHCR citing 615,000 repatriations via Torkham as of Oct. 8 and local officials reporting rising prices as trade stays halted.