After nearly fifty days of closure Pakistan has finally reopened the Torkham and Chaman border crossings with Afghanistan but only for United Nations humanitarian cargo.
Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi confirmed to Geo News that the border has been partially opened strictly on humanitarian grounds. He stressed that while aid is allowed all regular trade with Afghanistan remains suspended. “We have no problem with the Afghan people,” he said underscoring Pakistan’s position that the issue is security not civilians.
The decision comes as Afghanistan faces growing shortages of food medicine and essential supplies due to the prolonged halt in cross border movement. Pakistan’s Ministry of Commerce after consultations with the Foreign Office issued formal instructions to customs and transit authorities to ensure smooth and expedited clearance of UN containers.
Under the plan aid will move in phases. First trucks carrying food supplies will be allowed through. Next will be medicines and medical equipment. In the final phase other essential items including kits for students and teachers will cross into Afghanistan. Authorities at the Federal Board of Revenue and the Directorate General of Transit Trade have been directed to fast track all procedures to avoid any delay in humanitarian deliveries.
Pakistan had sealed both border crossings on October 12 after the Afghan Taliban and allied militants launched coordinated unprovoked attacks on multiple Pakistani military posts. The clashes which began overnight on October 11 left more than 200 militants dead and claimed the lives of 23 Pakistani soldiers.
In response Pakistan carried out precision strikes deep inside Afghanistan targeting terrorist hideouts in Kandahar and Kabul. A temporary 48 hour ceasefire was reached on October 15 at Kabul’s request later extended as delegations traveled to Doha for negotiations.
Mediation by Qatar and Turkiye eventually produced a ceasefire agreement on October 19. Both sides committed to ending cross border terrorism and establishing mechanisms to ensure long term peace and stability.
Talks later hit a dead end in Turkiye but mediators pushed both sides back to the table — resulting in a renewed commitment to uphold the ceasefire.
Pakistan’s partial reopening of the border now aims to prevent a deepening humanitarian crisis across the border even as security concerns and political tensions remain unresolved.
