Return of Afghan refugees through Torkham border continues

The return of Afghan refugees, some of whom had been living in Pakistan for decades, continues through Torkham border crossing in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Thursday.

More than 6,000 Afghans, including women and children, crossed into their country through the border between November 1 and November 6.

However, the border is only open for the return of Afghan refugees as trade between the two countries lies suspended till this date.

On November 1, officials from Pakistan and Afghanistan said that the Torkham border crossing had been reopened for Afghan refugees returning to their country.

Khyber Deputy Commissioner Bilal Rao confirmed that the Torkham border crossing had been reopened earlier today for the resumption of Afghan refugees’ repatriation.

The repatriation of Afghan families with or without any travel or identity documents was abruptly suspended on October 11 following border clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan, which continued for days before a ceasefire was formalized in Doha on October 19.

Pakistan had closed all its borders with Afghanistan for all types of movement, leaving a large number of returning families stranded.

The families impatiently waited for the reopening of the border so that they could return to their country.

Trade between the countries has remained suspended since then, leading to an increase in prices of essential goods, especially tomatoes.

Reporter: Jahanzeb Afridi