On March 17, 2025, Pakistan and Afghanistan reached an agreement to implement a ceasefire and reopen the Torkham border crossing. This agreement comes after a period of sustained tensions between the Afghan Taliban and Pakistan’s ruling Tehreek-e-Insaf party, which saw the closure of the Torkham trade route and increased friction over border security and refugee policies.
A strained relationship
The relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan has long been complicated by a myriad of security concerns, the most recent being accusations by Pakistan that the Afghan Taliban are providing safe haven to Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a militant group responsible for a spate of deadly attacks within Pakistan.
Recent months have also seen a significant escalation in tensions, driven in part by Pakistan’s push to deport Afghan refugees, many of whom have lived in Pakistan for decades. The move, started in 2023, has affected thousands of Afghans and sparked criticism from humanitarian organizations. Pakistan has defended the policy, citing security threats posed by militant groups (like the TTP) that it claims operate from Afghan territory.
Torkham crossing
Torkham is one of the busiest border crossings between Pakistan and Afghanistan, serving as a critical trade and transit route. Its closure in February 2024 halted the movement of goods and people, impacting trade on both sides of the border. Afghan traders, in particular, have struggled with supply chain disruptions, while Pakistani exporters have faced delays in shipments bound for Central Asia.
Beyond trade, the crossing is also an essential humanitarian access point. Thousands of Afghans use it to seek medical treatment in Pakistan, and the blockade left many unable to access medical aid in a country struggling to provide basic state functions due to a lockout from the international system and a freeze on state funds imposed by the international community in response to the Taliban’s takeover in 2021.
Reasons for the closure
The shutdown of the Torkham crossing was primarily linked to security concerns. Pakistan cited the presence of militants crossing into its territory from Afghanistan as a key factor behind the decision. The closure followed a series of border skirmishes, as well as an increase in terrorist attacks within Pakistan, which Islamabad has attributed to elements based in Afghanistan.
From the Afghan side, there were reports of disputes over border infrastructure and immigration controls. Afghan authorities resisted certain border management measures imposed by Pakistan, exacerbating tensions.
What lies ahead
Currently, Pakistan remains indifferent to the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Afghanistan, while the Taliban appear either unable or unwilling to address the challenges posed by their regional factions operating within their closest neighbour. Although the ceasefire and reopening of the Torkham crossing signal a temporary de-escalation and a resumption of trade, lasting peace remains unlikely until deeper, underlying issues are resolved.