Trade activity, general cross-border movement, remains suspended until further notice
Afghan refugees wait in line to cross the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan in Torkham on October 27, 2023. PHOTO: AFP
PAKISTAN:
The Torkham border has been reopened for the deportation of Afghan nationals staying illegally in Pakistan.
The border has been completely closed since October 11 due to heightened tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, Deputy Commissioner Khyber Bilal Shahid said. However, it has now partially reopened after 21 days, solely to allow the ongoing repatriation of illegally staying Afghan nationals in Pakistan.
Read: Explained: Pakistan-Afghanistan border conflict
Deputy Commissioner Shahid said no final decision has yet been taken on the resumption of trade activity or general cross-border movement, which he said will remain suspended until further notice.
Hundreds of Afghan nationals have reached the Torkham Immigration Centre, according to the district administration, where officials are finalizing their documentation before allowing them to cross into Afghanistan.
Meanwhile, Qaiser Khan Afridi, spokesman for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, stated that a total of 615,000 undocumented Afghan nationals had been repatriated through Torkham as of October 8, 2025.
Why was the border closed?
The suspension of activity and trade across the border followed a late-night exchange of fire on 11 October, in which Afghan forces reportedly opened unprovoked fire on Pakistani border troops.
Read more: Border closure halts bilateral transit trade
With Pakistan’s response, tensions peaked between the neighboring countries along the border from Chitral to Balochistan.
As a result, all four major trade ports, including Torkham, Kharlachi, Ghulam Khan and Chaman, were closed indefinitely.
Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban reach an interim agreement in the Istanbul negotiations
Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban have 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 India-backed militant groups Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), referred to by “KhawFitrija officials” and “KhawFitrijna” officials. al-Hindustan”.
The dialogue appeared to stall several times over the past week, with the Pakistani delegation even preparing to return home without a breakthrough. Following requests from the host nations – Turkiye and Qatar – and an appeal from the Afghan Taliban delegation, Pakistan agreed to continue the talks “to give peace another chance”.
Read also: Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban reach a preliminary understanding in the Istanbul negotiations
During Thursday’s session, both sides reached a preliminary mutual understanding, with key points outlined as follows:
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All parties reaffirmed that the purpose of the talks was to strengthen the ceasefire originally agreed in Doha.
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Both sides pledged to maintain the ceasefire on the condition that Afghan territory will not be used for terrorist attacks against Pakistan. The understanding also calls for the Afghan Taliban to take “clear, verifiable and effective action” against groups such as Fitna al Khwarij (TTP) and Fitna al Hindustan (BLA).
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The next round of talks will be held in Istanbul on November 6 to finalize details and implementation mechanisms.
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A joint monitoring and verification mechanism will be established to ensure compliance and impose sanctions against any party that violates the agreement.
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Turkiye and Qatar, acting as mediators and hosts, praised both sides for their participation and reaffirmed their commitment to support lasting peace and stability in the region.
During the negotiations, the Pakistani delegation maintained a firm and evidence-based position, presenting its demands with “clarity, professionalism and logical consistency.” The final agreement was described as a “victory for reason and national interest”.
