Pakistan Reopens Torkham and Chaman Borders for UN Aid to Afghanistan

Pakistan has decided to reopen the Torkham and Chaman border crossings for United Nations humanitarian cargoes, nearly 50 days after the two key routes were closed. The decision was confirmed on Thursday, according to The News.

Limited Opening After Long Closure

Sources said the Ministry of Commerce reached the decision after detailed consultations with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The move comes as Afghanistan faces growing shortages of food, medicine, and other essential supplies due to the prolonged border shutdown.

To restart the aid flow, the Ministry of Commerce issued a formal letter to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), including the Member Customs (Operations) in Islamabad and the Director General Transit Trade in Karachi. The letter instructed officials to take all steps needed to allow a smooth and quick movement of UN containers.

Three-Phase Clearance Plan

Pakistan has approved a phased clearance of humanitarian shipments belonging to Unicef, World Food Programme (WFP), and UNFPA.

The phases include:

Phase 1:

Only containers with food supplies for Afghanistan will be allowed to cross.

Phase 2:

Containers carrying medicines and medical equipment will be permitted.

Phase 3:

Containers with other essential goods, including education kits for teachers and students, will be cleared.

Officials have been directed to speed up transit arrangements so that aid can move through the Torkham and Chaman routes without delay.

Why the Borders Were Closed

Pakistan closed the crossings on October 12 after Afghan Taliban fighters and their allied militants launched multiple attacks on Pakistan Army posts along the border. The clashes began on the night between October 11 and 12.

More than 200 militants were killed in the fighting. Pakistan also lost 23 soldiers who defended the border.

In response, Pakistan carried out precision strikes inside Afghanistan, targeting terrorist hideouts in Kandahar and Kabul. A temporary 48-hour ceasefire began on October 15, followed by another 48-hour extension on October 17.

Ceasefire and Diplomacy

Talks were later held in Doha, Qatar, where Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed to an immediate ceasefire. On October 19, both sides signed a formal agreement, mediated by Qatar and Turkiye.

The deal required an immediate end to terrorism coming from Afghan soil. It also included a plan for both sides to create systems to support long-term peace.

More talks were later held in Turkiye but collapsed when Pakistan rejected what it described as “illogical” arguments from the Taliban delegation. However, mediators convinced both sides to continue discussions, leading to a commitment to maintain the ceasefire.