KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – Pakistan has reopened the Torkham and Chaman border crossings to allow United Nations humanitarian shipments into Afghanistan, nearly seven weeks after the routes were closed following cross-border clashes, Pakistani media reported.
As reported by Geo News, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Commerce confirmed the reopening, citing “humanitarian grounds” as the reason for the limited border access. Pakistani officials stressed that this measure is exclusively for UN aid and does not signal the resumption of normal trade or passenger movement between the two countries.
According to the report, Pakistani authorities have approved a phased clearance of containers belonging to three UN agencies: UNICEF, the World Food Programme (WFP), and the UN Population Fund (UNFPA). In the first phase, containers carrying food supplies will cross. The second phase will allow containers with medicines and medical equipment, while the third phase will include other essential items, including educational kits for students and teachers.
All border crossings between Pakistan and Afghanistan were closed on October 12 after clashes that left dozens dead on both sides, including civilians. Pakistan also carried out airstrikes inside Afghanistan, including in Kabul, before a fragile ceasefire was reached in Doha.
Diplomatic efforts, including recent talks in Saudi Arabia, have so far failed to produce a long-term agreement. Pakistan has demanded written guarantees that the Taliban will restrain the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a militant group responsible for deadly attacks inside Pakistan, which Islamabad claims operates from Afghanistan. The Taliban denies these allegations.
The border closures have disrupted trade and passenger movement, causing significant economic losses. Afghan traders previously reported daily losses of at least $2.5 million due to the disruption, while Pakistani media reported losses of $45 million in exports and $59 million in imports in Pakistan as of early November.
The Taliban have accused Pakistan of using the border crossings as a tool for political and economic pressure. In a post on X on Wednesday, spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid stated that the crossings will not be reopened without firm guarantees from Islamabad and added that Afghanistan now depends on other countries for essential supplies.
Bilateral trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan has fluctuated in recent years. According to the Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry, trade peaked at around $2.5 billion in 2010, fell to $1.6 billion, and rose slightly to just over $1.8 billion in 2022–23.
