Pakistan-Afghan border crossing reopens after negotiations | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Epaper
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Friday
June 20, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Epaper
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2025
Pakistan-Afghan border crossing reopens after negotiations

South Asia

AFP
23 January, 2024, 05:10 pm
Last modified: 23 January, 2024, 05:16 pm

Related News

  • Offices, banks to reopen tomorrow after 10-day Eid holiday
  • Russia accepts Taliban's nominated ambassador to Moscow
  • Pakistan to upgrade diplomatic ties with Afghanistan in easing of tensions
  • Kabul says ready for 'dialogue' with US on Afghan refugees
  • Taliban suspends chess in Afghanistan over gambling concerns

Pakistan-Afghan border crossing reopens after negotiations

The Torkham border closure since 12 January came after Islamabad imposed tighter controls requiring drivers from both sides to have visas and passports -- documents many Afghans do not have.

AFP
23 January, 2024, 05:10 pm
Last modified: 23 January, 2024, 05:16 pm
A general view of the border post in Torkham, Pakistan on 3 December 2019. File Photo: REUTERS/Alasdair Pal
A general view of the border post in Torkham, Pakistan on 3 December 2019. File Photo: REUTERS/Alasdair Pal

Pakistan and Afghanistan reopened a key trade crossing on Tuesday, officials on both sides said, after a row over travel papers as Islamabad cracks down on cross-border movements.

The Torkham border closure since 12 January came after Islamabad imposed tighter controls requiring drivers from both sides to have visas and passports -- documents many Afghans do not have.

Ties between the two countries have increasingly frayed in recent months, with Islamabad accusing the Taliban government of failing to root out militants staging attacks in Pakistan from their soil.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

Kabul has always rejected the allegations.

A Pakistan border official, who asked not to be named, confirmed the reopening to AFP after negotiations between Islamabad and Kabul, allowing hundreds of waiting trucks to cross.

"It was agreed during the discussions that until 31 March, Pakistani and Afghan drivers can cross the border without a visa and passport," he said.

"However, starting on 1 April, both a visa and passport will be mandatory."

Afghan Torkham official Abdul Jabbar Hikmat confirmed lorries were allowed to cross again on Tuesday "without the need for passports and visas".

Pakistan's casualties from armed groups hit a six-year high in 2023 with more than 1,500 civilians, security forces and militants killed, according to Islamabad's Center for Research and Security Studies.

The biggest militant threat to Pakistan is its domestic chapter of the Taliban movement, known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

Pakistan officials said tighter restrictions on trade and on-off border closures are a pressure tactic to get the Taliban government to work with Pakistan on security.

"Pakistan desires Afghanistan to adopt a tough stance against the TTP," a senior provincial government official in Peshawar city who asked not to be named told AFP.

"If they do not, the trade route will be intermittently closed for various reasons."

Islamabad has also recently forced out hundreds of thousands of undocumented Afghans living in Pakistan.

More than 500,000 Afghans fled in the four months since Islamabad imposed a deadline ordering 1.7 million Afghans it says are living in the country illegally to leave or risk arrest and deportation.

Millions of Afghans escaping conflict poured into Pakistan in past decades, including around 600,000 since the Taliban ousted the US-backed government and imposed its harsh interpretation of Islamic law.

Some of the Afghans crossing into Afghanistan as a result of Islamabad's eviction scheme were entering the country for the first time, having lived their whole lives in Pakistan.

Upon arrival, migrants have received only modest assistance from the government and NGOs in a country contending with one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world.

Top News / World+Biz

Pakistan border / Afghanistan / Reopen

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Vice-Chair of the National Consensus Commission Ali Riaz briefing reporters on 19 June. Photo: Screengrab
    Most parties agree upon amending presidential election process, BNP for existing method
  • Emergency workers at Soroka Medical Center after an Iranian missile strike, Israel June 19, 2025. Photo: Reuters
    Khamenei 'cannot continue to exist', Israeli defence minister says after hospital strike
  • US President Donald Trump speaks to members of the media during the installation of a new flagpole on the South Lawn at the White House in Washington, DC, US, June 18, 2025. Photo: Reuters
    Trump to decide on US action in Israel-Iran conflict within two weeks, White House says

MOST VIEWED

  • BAT Bangladesh to shut Mohakhali factory, relocate HQ after lease rejection
    BAT Bangladesh to shut Mohakhali factory, relocate HQ after lease rejection
  • Logo of Beximco Group. Photo: Collected
    Beximco defaults on €33m in Germany, Deshbandhu owes Czech bank €4m
  • Students attend their graduation ceremony. REUTERS/Brian Snyder/File Photo
    US resumes student visas but orders enhanced social media vetting
  • Mashrur Arefin appointed Chairman of the Association of Bankers Bangladesh
    Mashrur Arefin appointed Chairman of the Association of Bankers Bangladesh
  • Logo of Beximco Group. Photo: Collected
    BSEC to probe overall operations of five listed firms, three belongs to Beximco
  • Infographics: TBS
    Pvt sector's foreign loan rises by $454m on stable exchange rate, reserve in three months

Related News

  • Offices, banks to reopen tomorrow after 10-day Eid holiday
  • Russia accepts Taliban's nominated ambassador to Moscow
  • Pakistan to upgrade diplomatic ties with Afghanistan in easing of tensions
  • Kabul says ready for 'dialogue' with US on Afghan refugees
  • Taliban suspends chess in Afghanistan over gambling concerns

Features

Evacuation of Bangladeshis: Where do they go next from conflict-ridden Iran?

Evacuation of Bangladeshis: Where do they go next from conflict-ridden Iran?

1d | Panorama
The Kallyanpur Canal is burdened with more than 600,000 kilograms of waste every month. Photo: Courtesy

Kallyanpur canal project shows how to combat plastic pollution in Dhaka

2d | Panorama
The GLS600 overall has a curvaceous nature, with seamless blends across every panel. PHOTO: Arfin Kazi

Mercedes Maybach GLS600: Definitive Luxury

3d | Wheels
Renowned authors Imdadul Haque Milon, Mohit Kamal, and poet–children’s writer Rashed Rouf seen at Current Book Centre, alongside the store's proprietor, Shahin. Photo: Collected

From ‘Screen and Culture’ to ‘Current Book House’: Chattogram’s oldest surviving bookstore

4d | Panorama

More Videos from TBS

Bribery exposed: BBS report reveals year’s dark data

Bribery exposed: BBS report reveals year’s dark data

10h | TBS Today
Is the story of nuclear weapons just to justify military operations?

Is the story of nuclear weapons just to justify military operations?

11h | TBS World
What are the political parties saying about the presidential election and power?

What are the political parties saying about the presidential election and power?

11h | TBS Today
Pakistan Army Chief urges US not to get involved in Iran-Israel war

Pakistan Army Chief urges US not to get involved in Iran-Israel war

12h | Others
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net