Torkham border reopens between Pakistan and Afghanistan after ceasefire agreement

Representational Image. File Pic

A day after Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed to ensure maintenance of a ceasefire on the border and resume talks to salvage the peace process that hit snags early this week, the Torkham border crossing between Afghanistan and Pakistan was reopened on Saturday. The reopening of the Tokham border allows the return of Afghan refugees after a nearly two-week closure. This positive news between the two nations comes after deadly border clashes last month, as reported by news agencies.

According to officials, the decision to reopen the border transport comes after a ceasefire between Pakistan and Afghanistan, which was formalised in Doha on October 19, continues to hold.

As reported by news agency ANI, the repatriation process, which had been suspended since October 11, has now resumed at both the Torkham and Chaman crossings in Pakistan.

Highlighting this, the authorities said that around 10,700 individuals crossed into Afghanistan via the Chaman border on Friday as the repatriation effort expanded, as per ANI.

They also emphasised that approximately 1.56 million Afghan nationals have so far returned to their homeland under Pakistan's ongoing repatriation initiative.

The border closure, imposed after days of cross-border clashes, had stranded thousands of families on both sides and disrupted bilateral trade. Also, the suspension of trade led to shortages and higher prices of essential goods, particularly fresh produce such as tomatoes, in markets across northwestern Pakistan, as per the reports.

While the Torkham crossing has reopened for refugee movements, trade still remains suspended for the time being.

Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said, "The border remains closed for trade for now," as quoted by news agencies, noting that the resumption of commercial activity would depend on the prevailing security situation.

Officials also asserted that all necessary staff had been directed to resume duties at the Torkham crossing to facilitate the repatriation process. Temporary shelters, food supplies, and medical assistance have been arranged by the Frontier Corps and the civil administration to ensure a "dignified and orderly" return for departing families.

Deputy Commissioner of Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Bilal Rao, while confirming the reopening of the route, further stated that "operations had resumed smoothly to assist Afghan nationals heading home," as per ANI.

Earlier on Thursday, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Afghanistan and Pakistan have agreed to continue their ceasefire after a new round of talks in Istanbul.

(With inputs from ANI)