Pakistan reopens Torkham border for Afghan repatriation after month of clashes

Pakistan on Tuesday reopened the Torkham border with Afghanistan to repatriate Afghan nationals who were detained for illegally staying in the country, a provincial government spokesman told Anadolu.

“At this point, the [border] reopening is only restricted to the repatriation of Afghan nationals who have been detained for illegally staying in Pakistan,” the spokesman said. “If things go well, then other activities, including trade and general public movement, will be restored gradually.”

The Torkham crossing, linking Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa with Nangarhar province, had been closed since late February after intense border clashes disrupted trade and civilian movement. The closure followed a surge in cross-border violence triggered by Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) attacks inside Pakistan. Islamabad accused Kabul of sheltering militants, a claim Afghanistan denies.

The clashes escalated after Pakistani military airstrikes on alleged TTP hideouts in Afghanistan. Islamabad reported over 500 militants killed, while Kabul said dozens of civilians died.

The reopening follows a flag meeting between Pakistani and Afghan officials and a week-long ceasefire agreed on March 18, ahead of Eidul Fitr, brokered by Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.

Meanwhile, a grand assembly of elders from both countries convened in Peshawar Tuesday, calling for renewed dialogue and cooperation to ease tensions.

Pakistan and Afghanistan share 18 border crossings, with Torkham and Chaman serving as the main arteries for trade and travel between the two neighbors.