After 20 Days, Torkham Border Reopens for Refugees

KHYBER – Pakistan reopened the Torkham border crossing with Afghanistan on Saturday after a 20-day closure, officials confirmed. The crossing was shut down earlier this month after unprovoked firing by Afghan Taliban forces on Pakistani positions. Authorities said the border will now allow only the repatriation of undocumented Afghan refugees. However, it remains closed for trade and regular pedestrian movement.

Officials explained that the reopening aims to support Pakistan’s ongoing campaign to repatriate Afghan nationals living illegally in the country. Thousands of Afghans have been residing in Pakistan without legal documents for years. The Torkham border, one of the busiest crossings between the two nations, usually handles heavy passenger and trade traffic. Its partial reopening will help manage the large-scale return of undocumented migrants.

Meanwhile, Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban have agreed to continue the ceasefire established last month. The decision came after a series of talks held in Istanbul from October 25 to 30, 2025. Türkiye and Qatar mediated the discussions, which focused on reducing tensions and restoring communication channels. Both sides showed commitment to maintaining peace along the border.

According to a joint statement from the Turkish Foreign Ministry, delegations from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Türkiye, and Qatar attended the Istanbul meetings. They agreed to strengthen the ceasefire first agreed in Doha on October 18–19, 2025. The statement said all sides will meet again in Istanbul on November 6, 2025, to discuss further implementation steps. It also confirmed plans to create a monitoring and verification mechanism to prevent violations.

Türkiye and Qatar praised both Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban for their active participation and constructive dialogue. They reiterated their readiness to keep supporting peace efforts in the region. The mediators emphasized that lasting stability requires continued trust and cooperation from all parties. For now, Pakistan’s limited reopening of Torkham marks a cautious move toward easing tensions while managing refugee returns.

Read More : Torkham border likely to reopen in next 24 to 48 hours

After days of tension, Torkham border is likely to reopen in the next 24 to 48 hours, as Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed in principle to reopen the crossing. According to sources, if no new issues arise, the border will be opened soon.

Earlier today, NLC officials installed a cargo scanner at the Torkham terminal for quick clearance of goods. Customs officers and staff from other departments were also urgently called to prepare for the possible reopening.