ISLAMABAD/KABUL (Dispatches) –
 Pakistan has reopened its two main border crossings with Afghanistan, allowing thousands of Afghan refugees to return home after nearly three weeks of closure caused by deadly clashes, though trade remains suspended amid ongoing security concerns and diplomatic talks.
The Torkham crossing in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and the Chaman border in Balochistan, linking Afghanistan’s Nangarhar and Kandahar provinces respectively, had been closed since Oct. 12 following intense fighting that left dozens dead on both sides. Pakistani officials reported 23 security personnel killed, while Afghan authorities claimed 58 Pakistani troops had died in retaliatory strikes.
The closure left thousands of Afghans stranded and hundreds of trucks carrying goods stuck at the frontier, triggering shortages and price spikes for perishable data-x-items in Pakistani markets. Humanitarian pressure mounted as families were moved to temporary camps near the border or waited along roadsides.
Under the newly reopened crossings, pedestrian movement is allowed for Afghan families and individuals seeking repatriation. Nearly 10,700 people crossed at Chaman on the first day, with thousands more returning via Torkham, according to Pakistani officials. Temporary shelters, food supplies, and medical facilities were established to assist returning families.
The reopening follows a ceasefire agreement mediated by Turkey and Qatar, with initial talks in Doha followed by negotiations in Istanbul. Both countries have committed to reconvening in Istanbul on Nov. 6 to strengthen the truce and address measures to prevent future clashes.
Officials cautioned that commercial trade will remain suspended until the security situation stabilizes, although authorities at Torkham indicated it could resume as early as Monday if conditions allow.
“The border crossing reopened today for families traveling to Afghanistan, but it will remain closed for trade,” said a Pakistani official.
The border tensions come amid a surge in militant activity in Pakistan, with 355 insurgents and 72 security personnel killed in terrorist attacks in October, most claimed by the Pakistani Taliban. Diplomatic strains also surfaced, including public criticism from Afghanistan’s ambassador to Pakistan, which Islamabad said breached diplomatic norms.