Pakistan01 November, 20253 min read
Pakistan Reopens Torkham Border to Deport Afghan Refugees After Deadly Clashes
This article is an automated aggregation of coverage from news outlets. Our editorials offer in-depth analysis curated by the NewsCord team.
Pakistan reopened Torkham border exclusively for deported Afghan refugees' return Border remained closed for over three weeks following deadly clashes in mid-October
8 outlets told this the same way.
Outlets did split on Passenger Train Derails Near Sher Shah Bridge In Punjab, Killing Four And Injuring 30 →
Torkham Border Reopening Update
Pakistan has partially reopened the Torkham crossing to move Afghan refugees back across the border after nearly three weeks of deadly clashes and border closures, while keeping trade shut. Local Western outlet WPLG Local 10 reports Pakistan closed all border crossings on October 12 after clashes in which both sides claimed to have killed dozens. The report says a ceasefire mediated by Turkey and Qatar led to a partial reopening only for Afghan refugees, with trade still suspended.
“Pakistan closed all border crossings with Afghanistan on October 12 after deadly clashes between the two sides, each claiming to have killed dozens of troops.”
Asian outlet Islamabad Post specifies the crossing was temporarily reopened on October 31 to allow the repatriation of “illegal Afghan refugees.” This reopening followed an Istanbul ceasefire track that built on a Doha understanding.
Asian outlet Daily Times gives a different date, saying the reopening happened on November 1, exclusively for Afghan refugees returning. West Asian outlet Arab News PK adds that Torkham was “briefly reopened” for the voluntary return of Afghan refugees but that commercial traffic remains halted.
Border Restrictions and Trade Impact
Movement is tightly restricted to specific refugee categories while trade and ordinary travel remain frozen. Independent News Pakistan reports that only refugees with tokens from the Landi Kotal holding camp can cross the border. Passengers and traders are not permitted to cross, and the Chaman border remains sealed, stranding some refugees.
Islamabad Post confirms that trade and pedestrian movement remain suspended until further notice and cites the deputy commissioner by name. Arab News PK highlights the economic fallout from the stoppage, citing thousands of containers stuck and spoilage of goods. WPLG Local 10 emphasizes that trade remains suspended even after the partial reopening.
Dispute Over Cross-Border Clashes
The immediate trigger and competing narratives over responsibility are divergent across sources. WPLG Local 10 reports that clashes began after Pakistan conducted airstrikes on militant hideouts in Afghanistan. Kabul disputes this, claiming civilian casualties and retaliatory strikes that killed Pakistani soldiers.
“The clashes began after Pakistan conducted airstrikes on Pakistani Taliban hideouts in Afghanistan, which Afghan officials disputed, claiming civilian casualties and retaliatory strikes that killed Pakistani soldiers.”
Both sides claim to have killed dozens. West Asian outlets Arab News PK and Arab News emphasize Kabul’s objection to Pakistan’s strikes on the grounds of sovereignty. They also report Islamabad’s accusations that Kabul harbors militants, which Kabul denies.
Islamabad Post highlights Pakistan’s desire to avoid further tensions and condemns the use of Afghan territory by militant groups. It also notes Pakistan’s ongoing struggle with attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan since 2021.
Refugee Deportation and Stranding
The human toll includes stranded civilians and controversial deportation policies. WPLG Local 10 reports that a three-week closure stranded thousands of Afghan refugees and hundreds of trucks. This situation is part of Pakistan’s ongoing campaign to deport illegal immigrants, including over a million Afghans.
Independent News Pakistan highlights coercive pressure by noting that refugees face deportation orders and only those with tokens can cross. Arab News PK adds that Pakistan has been deporting refugees even those with Proof of Registration or Afghan Citizen Cards. These actions have contributed to over 1.6 million returns to Afghanistan.
Ceasefire Talks and Challenges
Diplomacy has produced a fragile ceasefire architecture, but enforcement remains uncertain. Islamabad Post (Asian) says the ceasefire was initially brokered in Doha on October 19 and then solidified through six days of talks mediated by Turkey and Qatar in Istanbul, adding plans for a principal-level meeting on November 6, 2025 and a monitoring and verification mechanism to penalize violations. WPLG Local 10 (Local Western) similarly reports weeklong negotiations mediated by Turkey and Qatar, with the ceasefire formalized after talks in Doha and Istanbul.
“The ceasefire, initially brokered in Doha on October 19, was solidified through six days of talks mediated by Turkey and Qatar, with plans for a principal-level meeting on November 6, 2025, to discuss implementation details.”
In contrast, West Asian coverage in Arab News PK notes repeated border closures despite a Doha ceasefire and describes Torkham’s reopening as brief. Independent News Pakistan (Other) reports the two sides only recently agreed to extend a temporary ceasefire and plan another round of Istanbul talks next week, underscoring how tentative the truce remains.
