Chaman border reopens for stranded refugees

Government temporarily reopened the Chaman border crossing on Monday to allow stranded Afghan refugees to return to their homeland, officials told The Express Tribune.

The decision came after hundreds of Afghan nationals were left stuck in the border town of Chaman for several days following the closure of the crossing amid heightened border tensions.

According to official sources, the move followed a meeting between senior Frontier Corps (FC) officers and tribal elders, including Qari Aslam, Alam Yar, and Haji Aminullah Khan Noorzai. The tribal representatives urged authorities to take immediate humanitarian steps to facilitate the safe return of Afghan families waiting near the border. Responding to the appeal, Pakistani officials agreed to open the route temporarily for refugee repatriation.

However, authorities clarified that the Bab-e-Dosti gate would remain closed for routine pedestrian movement and commercial cargo traffic.

Cross-border trade and regular travel between Pakistan and Afghanistan, therefore, remain suspended until further notice.

Tribal elders from the Chaman region have expressed optimism that the border will soon reopen for all forms of movement. They said ongoing discussions with higher Pakistani officials could lead to the full restoration of border operations in the coming days.

The Chaman border was closed following a series of unprovoked attacks by Taliban forces on Pakistani security posts along the Durand Line. In response, Pakistan's border forces reportedly launched a firm counteraction, reclaiming several positions that had come under assault.

Local sources said the situation along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border remains tense but stable, with enhanced security and continuous monitoring by law enforcement agencies.