600 Pakistani Truck Drivers Begin Returning Home After 9-Month Halt at Torkham Border

Approximately 600 Pakistani truck drivers and assistants, who had been stranded in Afghanistan for nearly nine months due to the closure of the Torkham border crossing, have started returning to Pakistan. These individuals lost the ability to cross into Pakistan after the border was shut in September 2025 amid security tensions.

Reports indicate that the closure of this vital route left hundreds of freight trucks immobilized on both sides of the border, severely disrupting commercial activities. The Express Tribune newspaper estimated that around 600 drivers and assistants were stranded. The suspension of traffic at this crossing not only halted cargo transportation but also inflicted significant losses on the drivers and truck owners.

One returning driver stated that the trucks remained unused for months, and many drivers had to sell their belongings or return their cargo to the point of origin to support their families. He also emphasized that during this period, they did not receive the necessary support and facilitation, drawing criticism of how the Taliban administration managed the crisis.

The drivers’ return was made possible after weeks of negotiations between Taliban officials and Pakistani authorities. Ijaz Shinwari, a leader of Pakistan’s Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam party, confirmed that the transfer of the stranded drivers and trucks is underway and expects that all will soon reach Pakistan.

Local officials have warned that the closure of the Torkham crossing has not only harmed bilateral trade but also resulted in widespread economic and humanitarian consequences for residents of the border areas in both countries. Increased unemployment and reduced household incomes are among the direct effects of this blockade.

The Torkham crossing is known as the most important trade route between Afghanistan and Pakistan, and any disruption in its operation directly impacts the supply chain and economy of the border regions.

This event is occurring simultaneously with an intensified process of returning Afghan migrants from Pakistan, with thousands crossing daily through border points into Afghanistan, a situation that has further increased economic pressure on border areas.