Afghanistan Peace Campaign
The Torkham border crossing has reopened for the return of Afghan migrants from Pakistan, easing movement at one of the busiest and most politically sensitive crossings between the two countries.
Local authorities in Nangarhar said the crossing reopened on Tuesday, allowing Afghan migrants to return from Pakistan. Officials said the Omari camp at Torkham is prepared to receive returnees and manage the flow of families crossing back into Afghanistan.
The reopening follows a brief closure after the route had been temporarily opened only to be shut again following a shooting incident in which a Pakistani border soldier was wounded. Afghan officials have not said how long the crossing will remain open this time, leaving uncertainty for many families waiting to cross.
The crossing is currently being used mainly for migrant returns rather than normal trade or passenger movement. Pakistan has in recent weeks resumed deportations of undocumented Afghans under a controlled repatriation mechanism, with border authorities and immigration agencies overseeing the process.
The reopening comes at a time of heightened strain between the two neighbors, with border tensions and security incidents repeatedly disrupting civilian movement. For thousands of Afghans facing detention, deportation or uncertainty in Pakistan, even a temporary opening of Torkham carries major humanitarian importance.
Torkham is one of the most important land crossings between Afghanistan and Pakistan and serves as a key route for people, trade and emergency movement. Closures there often affect not only migrants and daily wage workers, but also supply chains, medical travel and broader economic activity on both sides of the border.
The latest reopening also comes amid Pakistan’s broader campaign to remove undocumented Afghans, a policy that has drawn concern from aid agencies and rights groups. The United Nations has warned that forced or rushed returns could place already vulnerable Afghan families under additional pressure at a time of economic hardship and instability inside Afghanistan.