Pakistan has officially begun the repatriation of illegal Afghan citizens through the Torkham border crossing, which reopened on Saturday after weeks of closure.
Hundreds of Afghans have reached the immigration point to return to their home country, according to official sources.
Sources confirmed that the repatriation process of illegal Afghan nationals started in Khyber following a government decision to open the Torkham border crossing for this purpose.
Authorities had decided a day earlier to reopen the Torkham crossing specifically for the expulsion of Afghan citizens residing illegally in Pakistan.
The Torkham border crossing will remain closed for trade and pedestrian traffic, sources said. The decision ensures that the current reopening is used solely for the repatriation operation.
The crossing had been closed for all types of traffic since October 11 amid rising tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Chaman border remains shut
In contrast, the Chaman border crossing between Pakistan and Afghanistan remains closed for the 21st consecutive day, according to official sources.
The continued closure has halted bilateral trade and cross-border movement, further straining economic and humanitarian ties between the two neighboring countries.
