Pakistan has temporarily closed the Chaman and Torkham border crossings amid renewed clashes and rising tensions with Afghan forces, halting trade and pedestrian movement on both sides. Officials confirmed that the decision was taken as a precautionary measure to prevent further escalation and ensure the safety of civilians and traders. The closure has disrupted routine cross-border activities, affecting thousands who depend on these routes for livelihood and daily movement.
Sources reported that all travel and cargo operations at the Torkham border have been suspended, and loaded trucks have been redirected to Landi Kotal for security reasons. The suspension has caused long queues of stranded vehicles, leading to financial losses for traders and logistical delays in essential supplies. Authorities emphasized that the move was temporary but necessary, given the recent exchange of fire and volatile situation along the frontier.
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Similarly, the Bab-e-Dosti crossing in Chaman, Balochistan, has been sealed off following fresh hostilities between Pakistani and Afghan forces. Officials said the crossing would remain closed until further notice as security agencies assess the situation. The decision has hit border communities hard, as many depend on small-scale trade and cross-border movement for their income and family connections.
Most Afghan nationals voluntarily returning or being repatriated to their homeland have also been affected, as Chaman serves as one of the main transit points for their passage. The closure has created logistical hurdles for both governments, delaying the ongoing repatriation process and increasing humanitarian concerns. The border shutdown is also expected to slow down commercial activity across the seven Balochistan districts that share a boundary with Afghanistan, including Zhob, Pishin, and Qila Abdullah.
Earlier this year, the Torkham crossing faced similar disruptions when disagreements over border construction led to temporary suspensions. However, this latest closure reflects deeper diplomatic strains following a series of clashes in recent weeks. While officials hope for a swift reopening once tensions subside, the current standoff underscores the fragile nature of Pak-Afghan border relations and the urgent need for dialogue to restore stability.