April 3, 2026
By Kaleem Ullah
LAHORE
The reopening of the Torkham border crossing on Tuesday marked a significant development in the strained relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan, offering a fragile sense of relief to thousands of Afghan families caught in weeks of uncertainty.
The crossing, which links Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province with Afghanistan’s eastern Nangarhar province, had remained largely shut following heightened tensions between the two countries.
Its closure came in the aftermath of attacks in Pakistan and the subsequent launching of Operation Ghazab lil-Haq, a retaliatory military campaign launched by Pakistan on February 26, 2026, in response to alleged cross-border militant activity attributed to the Afghan Taliban.
Although authorities briefly allowed the repatriation of undocumented Afghan nationals last Thursday, the process was abruptly halted within 12 hours after a security official was injured in a firing incident from the afghan side. The situation threatened to derail already fragile coordination between the two neighbors.
However, following strong protest from Pakistan and a measured response by border security forces, Afghan authorities expressed regret over the incident and requested that the repatriation process resume.
With the reopening, the movement of undocumented Afghan families has once again begun, though under strict procedures. According to local journalist Farhad Shinwari from District Khyber,
Afghan nationals who voluntarily opt for repatriation are first transported to a holding facility in Landi Kotal. There, their cases undergo verification through multiple agencies, including the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), immigration officials, police, and intelligence departments, before deportation is finalized.
In contrast, those detained under Section 14 of the Foreigners Act face a different process. These individuals are held in police custody, presented before local magistrates, and subsequently deported following legal formalities. The dual-track system reflects the authorities’ attempt to distinguish between voluntary returnees and those apprehended during enforcement operations.
For residents of the border region, the reopening carries a deeper significance beyond administrative procedures. Shinwari noted that there had been no formal engagement between Pakistani and Afghan authorities on reopening the border for the past five months. The prolonged closure had taken a heavy toll on local communities, many of whom live in close proximity to the volatile frontier.
Clashes between forces on both sides had forced families to flee their homes as mortar shells and other explosives landed dangerously close to civilian areas. Many displaced residents sought temporary refuge in Landi Kotal, waiting anxiously for calm to return. Now, with the guns largely silent, some families have begun making their way back, hopeful yet cautious.
Despite the reopening, normalcy remains partial. Trade activities at the crossing have not yet resumed, leaving transporters and traders in limbo. The absence of commercial movement continues to strain livelihoods in a region heavily dependent on cross-border exchange.
Residents recall how the recent tensions disrupted even the most personal aspects of life. Shah Wali, a resident of Torkham, described how many families were forced to spend Eid away from their homes. Although a ceasefire had been in place during the festive period, uncertainty loomed large, discouraging displaced families from returning. “People were afraid the clashes could start again at any moment,” he said.
Now, with deportations underway from the Pakistani side, there are signs of cautious movement in the opposite direction as well. Empty trucks that had been stranded in Afghanistan during the closure are gradually returning to Pakistan, hinting at a slow but steady easing of restrictions.
While the reopening of the Torkham crossing does not signal a complete normalization of relations, it offers a critical humanitarian window for displaced and undocumented Afghan families. For border communities long accustomed to cycles of tension and respite, it is a reminder that even small steps toward stability can carry immense significance.