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The repatriation of undocumented Afghan nationals was abruptly suspended at the Torkham border on Friday following a cross-border attack. A border security official was injured late Thursday evening at the Awal Khan post near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
The Torkham crossing had reopened on Thursday to allow the return of stranded and illegal Afghan nationals after being closed since February 26, when Operation Ghazab lil-Haq was launched. However, security forces immediately went on high alert following the attack, halting all registration and repatriation procedures.
“Due to the aggressive attitude and behavior of the Afghan side, we cannot safely continue repatriation at this time,” said a Torkham security official. Around 220 undocumented Afghans were registered and sent back to Afghanistan before the suspension.
Officials from the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), National Logistics Corporation (NLC), police, and other government departments were present at Torkham and the Hamza Baba transit point. Despite their presence, they were directed to immediately stop processing undocumented Afghan nationals.
Policy and Security Challenges at the Border
Earlier this month, Pakistani authorities decided to take action under the Foreigners Act 1946 against illegal Afghan nationals as part of the implementation of a single visa regime. The decision was made during a high-level meeting reviewing law and order and security arrangements.
Security officials stated that the current situation at Torkham does not allow safe repatriation under the Illegal Foreigners Repatriation (IFR) program. Forces at the border will remain on high alert until conditions stabilize, they added.
Experts say the suspension is a setback in Pakistan’s efforts to manage undocumented Afghan nationals. It highlights the challenges of maintaining border security while ensuring the safe movement of people. Officials continue to monitor the situation closely and will resume operations once the border is deemed secure.
The incident underscores the fragile security situation at key border crossings and the importance of cooperation between both sides to ensure safe and orderly repatriation in the future.
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