The Torkham border crossing between Pakistan and Afghanistan has been reopened after a 20-day closure, specifically to facilitate the deportation of Afghan nationals residing illegally in Pakistan.

According to Khyber District Deputy Commissioner Bilal Shahid, the border has been opened exclusively for the repatriation process, while trade and pedestrian movement will remain suspended until further notice.

Hundreds of Afghan refugees have gathered at the Torkham Immigration Center, where immigration officials are completing verification and documentation procedures before allowing their departure into Afghanistan.

Deputy Commissioner Shahid confirmed that the Torkham border was initially closed on October 11 amid heightened tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, UNHCR spokesperson Qaiser Khan Afridi reported that as of October 8, approximately 615,000 illegal Afghan nationals had already been deported through the Torkham crossing.

Authorities have stated that the reopening is temporary and limited to deportation operations, with no indication yet on when regular cross-border trade and pedestrian movement will resume.