Torkham border partially reopens after 21 days of closure for Afghan expulsions

PAKISTAN:

The Torkham border has been reopened for the expulsion of Afghan nationals residing illegally in Pakistan.

The border has remained completely closed since October 11 due to heightened tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, Deputy Commissioner Khyber Bilal Shahid said. However, it was partially reopened, after 21 days, only to accommodate the ongoing repatriation of Afghan nationals residing illegally in Pakistan.

Read: Explained: Pakistan-Afghanistan border conflict

Deputy Commissioner Shahid said no final decision had yet been taken on resumption of trade activities or general cross-border movements, which he said would remain suspended until further notice.

Hundreds of Afghan citizens have reached the Torkham immigration center, according to the district administration, where authorities are completing their documents before allowing them to enter Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, Qaiser Khan Afridi, spokesperson for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, said that a total of 615,000 undocumented Afghan nationals had been repatriated via Torkham as of October 8, 2025.

Why was the border closed?

The suspension of activities and trade across the border follows a firefight late on the night of October 11, when Afghan forces allegedly opened unprovoked fire on Pakistani border troops.

Learn more: Border closure puts an end to bilateral and transit trade

With Pakistan’s response, tensions between the neighboring countries have reached fever pitch along the Chitral-Balochistan border.

As a result, the four major trading gates including Torkham, Kharlachi, Ghulam Khan and Chaman have been closed indefinitely.

Pakistan, Afghan Taliban reach interim deal at Istanbul talks

Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban reached a tentative agreement after six days of high-level talks in Istanbul, aimed at preventing the use of Afghan soil for terrorist activities against Pakistan and taking decisive action against Indian-backed militant groups Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), referred to by Pakistani officials as ‘Fitna al-Khawarij’ and ‘Fitna al-Hindustan.

The dialogue appeared to stall several times over the past week, with the Pakistani delegation even preparing to return home without any progress. However, following requests from the host countries – Turkey and Qatar – and a call from the Afghan Taliban delegation, Pakistan agreed to continue negotiations “to give peace another chance”.

Also read: Pakistan, Afghan Taliban reach tentative deal at Istanbul talks

During Thursday’s session, the two sides reached a tentative mutual agreement, the key points of which are as follows:

1. All parties reaffirmed that the aim of the talks was to strengthen the ceasefire initially agreed in Doha.

2. Both sides pledged to maintain the ceasefire on the condition that Afghan territory is not used for terrorist attacks against Pakistan. The agreement also requires the Afghan Taliban to take “clear, verifiable and effective measures” against groups such as Fitna al Khwarij (TTP) and Fitna al Hindustan (BLA).

3. The next round of negotiations will take place in Istanbul on November 6 to finalize details and implementation mechanisms.

4. A joint monitoring and verification mechanism will be put in place to ensure compliance with the agreement and impose sanctions on any party that violates the agreement.

5. Turkey and Qatar, acting as mediators and hosts, congratulated both sides for their participation and reaffirmed their commitment to supporting lasting peace and stability in the region.

During the talks, the Pakistani delegation maintained a strong, evidence-based stance, presenting its demands with “clarity, professionalism and logical consistency.” The final agreement was described as a “victory of reason and the national interest.”