After a closure lasting nearly three weeks, Pakistan has reopened the Torkham border crossing specifically to facilitate the repatriation of undocumented Afghan nationals. The decision marks a key step in the ongoing government operation to deport illegal residents across the country.
According to officials, hundreds of Afghan migrants have already arrived at the Torkham Immigration Center to complete the necessary procedures before returning to Afghanistan. Deputy Commissioner of Khyber District, Bilal Shahid, confirmed that the border was temporarily reopened for this humanitarian and administrative purpose. “The Torkham crossing has been opened solely for the deportation of undocumented Afghan citizens residing illegally in Pakistan,” he said. “Immigration staff are processing their documents and allowing them to cross into Afghanistan after completing formalities.”
Despite the partial reopening, all commercial trade and pedestrian movement across the border remain suspended. Authorities emphasized that only those Afghans who are being repatriated under the official deportation campaign are being allowed to cross.
The development comes amid Pakistan’s broader nationwide drive to remove undocumented foreigners, the majority of whom are Afghans who entered the country without legal documents or overstayed their visas. The campaign was initiated following multiple rounds of government deliberations over national security, resource strain, and border management concerns.
Sources in the border administration reported that temporary facilities have been set up to process large numbers of Afghan nationals. Medical assistance, food distribution, and transport arrangements have also been made to ensure an orderly return process.
The reopening of the crossing follows a 20-day closure caused by heightened security and logistical issues. During that period, trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan came to a standstill, affecting the flow of goods and creating significant losses for traders on both sides. However, officials clarified that the current reopening is limited strictly to deportation activities and does not signal a full restoration of normal cross-border trade or movement.
Local authorities in Khyber said they are coordinating closely with federal and Afghan officials to manage the influx at Torkham. Security forces have been deployed to maintain order and ensure that only eligible individuals cross the border.
Pakistan’s government has repeatedly maintained that the repatriation process is being conducted in a dignified and humane manner, with families given time to prepare and gather their belongings. Human rights groups, however, continue to urge Islamabad to ensure that vulnerable individuals — particularly women, children, and those seeking asylum — are not put at risk during the deportation process.
