Border Closure Chaos: Afghan-Pakistani Tensions Escalate Over Repatriation and Passport Requirements

 

On Sunday evening, a sudden and premature closure of the Torkham border by Afghan authorities left scores of illegal immigrants, including women and children, stranded at the crossing. This incident has escalated tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, revealing the challenges of managing border crossings, repatriation, and passport requirements. The unfolding events shed light on the complex issues surrounding border management and the human consequences of these decisions.

Afghan Border Closure: A Drastic Move

The premature closure of the Torkham border on Sunday evening came as a shock to the hundreds of illegal immigrants who had been processed for repatriation to Afghanistan. The Afghan authorities closed the border crossing at 7 pm, two hours ahead of the scheduled time, leaving approximately 284 individuals stranded at the border, most of whom had already completed the repatriation process. This sudden decision left them exposed to the elements for nearly three hours.

According to officials, they had been following their routine plan, anticipating that the gates would close at 9 pm. On that fateful Sunday, approximately 892 families had already returned to Afghanistan when the Afghan authorities abruptly halted cross-border movement at 7 pm.

The Conundrum of Repatriation

The situation highlights the challenges and complexities surrounding repatriation efforts. Both Pakistan and Afghanistan are grappling with the issue of illegal immigrants, and repatriation is an essential component of managing this problem. However, the abrupt closure of the border by Afghan authorities disrupted a planned repatriation operation.

One senior official explained, "We could not leave the 284 individuals, including women and children, at the border. At the same time, we could not take the risk of keeping those families in Landi Kotal’s holding area due to security concerns. [Eventually,] they were moved to Peshawar’s holding area in the dark."

This incident underscored the necessity for a more structured and secure approach to repatriation. As a response, authorities decided to halt the operation for sending illegal immigrants across the border at 4 pm from the following day. This change in policy aims to reduce the risk associated with repatriation efforts, ensuring the safety and well-being of the individuals involved.

The Human Toll

This border closure incident brings to light the human toll of such decisions. Families, including women and children, were left exposed to the elements and faced uncertainty due to the sudden closure of the border. The situation serves as a stark reminder of the challenges that individuals caught in the crossfire of border disputes face, as well as the potential for harm and danger they may encounter.

Resumption of Repatriation Efforts

Despite this unfortunate incident, the voluntary repatriation efforts continued on the sixth day after the October 31st deadline had expired. On Monday, a significant number of individuals crossed the Torkham border, signaling the commitment of both Pakistan and Afghanistan to address the issue of illegal Afghan immigrants.

A total of 9,297 individuals, including 2,883 men, 2,325 women, and 4,089 children, crossed the border, bringing the total number of returnees to 184,174 since September 17. These figures demonstrate the scale of the problem and the commitment of both nations to resolve it through diplomatic and humanitarian means.

Protests in Chaman

Meanwhile, protests near the Chaman border have continued, with the traders' alliance and political parties expressing their concerns over the government's decision to require valid passports and visas for border crossings. The protesters argue that the government should adhere to its earlier commitment of accepting Computerized National Identity Cards (CNIC) instead of passports and visas.

Mahmood Khan Achakzai, the Chairman of Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP), emphasized the importance of considering the unique circumstances of the region where some tribal lands straddle both Afghanistan and Pakistan. In such cases, imposing passport requirements becomes impractical and may hinder the movement of people and goods across the border.

Achakzai emphasized that the protest would not be limited to Chaman but would extend to other parts of the Pashtun region until their demands were met. This highlights the deep-seated concerns and frustrations of the local population regarding border management and its impact on their daily lives.

Border Trade and Custom Houses

Achakzai also raised questions about the restrictions on certain items allowed through airports but prohibited at Durand Line crossing points. He suggested that the government should establish custom houses at border crossing points to facilitate and streamline trade. This would involve conducting checks to the government's satisfaction, but once cleared, goods should not be subjected to repeated inspections by law enforcement agencies after every few kilometers.

This issue of border trade is crucial for the economic well-being of the region and highlights the need for practical solutions that balance security concerns with the economic interests of local communities.

Conclusion

The premature closure of the Torkham border by Afghan authorities has raised serious concerns and highlighted the challenges of managing border crossings, repatriation, and passport requirements. The incident underscores the human toll of border disputes and the importance of well-structured and secure repatriation efforts.

As both Pakistan and Afghanistan grapple with the issue of illegal immigrants, the incident at the Torkham border serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in resolving this issue. It also highlights the need for diplomatic solutions that balance security concerns with the human rights and economic interests of the local population.

The protests in Chaman further emphasize the urgency of addressing these concerns and finding practical solutions that can promote stability and prosperity in the region. The dialogue and cooperation between the two nations will be essential in finding a lasting resolution to these complex issues.