CHAMAN: The repatriation of Afghan refugees through the Bab-e-Dosti crossing at the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in Chaman district has resumed, officials confirmed on Monday. However, all routine cross-border movement and trade activities remain suspended for the second consecutive day.
According to officials, Afghan nationals have been allowed to return to their homeland, but bilateral trade, immigration processing, and pedestrian movement continue to be halted.
Deputy Commissioner Chaman, Habib Bangulzai, said that while formal cross-border operations remain suspended, the repatriation of Afghan families resumed early in the morning.
“The administration has arranged temporary shelters, food, drinking water, and medical facilities in the border area to ensure that returning families face no hardship,” he said.
He added that authorities closed Bab-e-Dosti for all kinds of movement on Saturday, but have now permitted only refugee departures on humanitarian grounds.
Immigration procedures under visa and passport systems remain suspended, and bilateral border trade has come to a complete standstill. Dozens of trade vehicles and loaded trucks are stranded on both sides of the border, raising concerns of heavy financial losses for traders.
The deputy commissioner said security forces are on high alert in the area, with additional contingents deployed to prevent any untoward incidents. “The administration is fully alert and closely monitoring the law and order situation around the border,” he stated.
Bangulzai emphasized that the government’s objective is to normalize relations between the two countries while ensuring the dignified repatriation of Afghan refugees on humanitarian grounds.
According to official sources, more than 150,000 Afghan refugees have already returned to Afghanistan from various districts of Balochistan, and the repatriation process continues in phases.
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Meanwhile, despite border tensions, residents report that the situation in Chaman city and nearby areas remains relatively calm. Markets are open, transport services are partially restored, and locals continue to monitor the evolving situation closely.
