Torkham, Pakistan – Islamabad has officially commenced the repatriation of undocumented Afghan citizens through the Torkham border crossing, which reopened on Saturday after being closed for weeks.
Samaa News reported hundreds of Afghans have reportedly arrived at the immigration point to return to their home country, according to official sources. The repatriation process in Khyber began following a government decision to open the crossing specifically for this purpose. Sources confirmed that the authorities had decided a day earlier to reopen the Torkham crossing solely for the expulsion of Afghan citizens residing illegally in Pakistan.
Operation Strictly for Repatriation
Crucially, the Torkham border crossing will remain closed for trade and regular pedestrian traffic. This measure ensures the current reopening is used exclusively for the repatriation operation. The crossing had been shut down for all types of traffic since October 11 amid rising tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Chaman Border Remains Closed
In contrast to Torkham, the Chaman border crossing between Pakistan and Afghanistan remains closed for the 21st consecutive day, official sources noted. The prolonged closure continues to halt bilateral trade and cross-border movement, placing further strain on economic and humanitarian ties between the two neighboring nations.
