Peshawar, Pakistan – Pakistan has partially reopened the Torkham border crossing with Afghanistan to allow thousands of Afghan refugees stranded by a nearly three-week closure to return home, officials confirmed on Saturday.

The reopening is limited to refugee movements; trade and other cross-border traffic remain suspended. The border, part of the 2,611-kilometer (1,622-mile) Durand Line, was closed on October 12 after deadly clashes between Afghan and Pakistani forces left both sides claiming dozens of casualties.

Ceasefire Agreement Eases Tensions

The partial reopening follows a ceasefire agreement reached after week-long negotiations facilitated by Turkey and Qatar, aimed at preventing further escalation. Afghan officials reported no new exchanges of fire along the border since the truce.

Thousands of Afghan refugees had been temporarily relocated to camps near the Torkham crossing, while hundreds more remained stranded along the roadside. Afghan authorities welcomed returning refugees with flowers and ceremonial gestures, according to videos released by the Nangarhar provincial Information and Culture Department.

Diplomatic Friction

Tensions had flared in the lead-up to the reopening. Afghanistan’s ambassador to Pakistan, Ahmad Shakeeb, criticized Pakistan’s border closures on social media, prompting a rebuke from Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Tahir Andrabi, who said diplomatic concerns should be addressed through official channels.

Background: Ongoing Border Violence

The clashes at Torkham are part of a broader pattern of cross-border violence. Since 2023, Pakistan has pursued a campaign to deport illegal Afghan immigrants, repatriating over a million people.

Earlier this month, Pakistan’s military carried out airstrikes on Taliban hideouts inside Afghanistan, claiming to have killed dozens of insurgents. Afghan officials disputed the claim, alleging civilian casualties and reporting that Afghan forces struck back, killing 58 Pakistani soldiers. Pakistan confirmed losing 23 troops during the clashes.

The recent fighting prompted diplomatic talks in Doha and Istanbul, resulting in a ceasefire maintained since October 19. The area has also seen rising activity from the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a separate group from the Afghan Taliban, which has exploited instability to launch attacks within Pakistan.

Key Takeaways

• Torkham border partially reopened for Afghan refugees; trade remains suspended.
• Ceasefire brokered by Turkey and Qatar has held since October 19.
• Diplomatic tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan persist over border management.
• Violence along the border reflects wider security challenges posed by insurgent groups.