Pakistani government sources at the Torkham border crossing have confirmed that the Torkham gate will be closed to all cross-border movement on June 25 and 26 due to the Muharram holidays.
Under this decision, the repatriation of Afghan migrants to Afghanistan, as well as regular cross-border travel, will be suspended for two days and will resume once the holidays have ended.
The Hamza Baba Afghan Migrants Camp, located near the Torkham border, will also be closed to visitors during this two-day period. Inamullah Wazir, the Assistant Commissioner of Landi Kotal, announced that all administrative and office operations at the camp will be suspended on June 25 and 26. He urged Afghan migrants to refrain from visiting the center during this period to avoid unnecessary inconvenience and prolonged waiting times.
Pakistani authorities have advised migrants to comply with government directives and the announced schedule and to follow official notifications for any further updates. According to camp officials, the Hamza Baba Camp will resume its normal operations and provide all services as usual after the Muharram holidays conclude.
The Hamza Baba Camp is one of the key centers in Pakistan responsible for registering Afghan nationals, processing documentation, and handling other administrative affairs. It receives a large number of visitors each day. During the border closure, the repatriation process for Afghan migrants will be completely suspended and will resume after the holidays.
The announcement comes as Pakistan continues its large-scale deportation campaign against Afghan migrants. According to reports, approximately three million Afghan migrants were returned to Afghanistan from Iran, Pakistan, and Türkiye last year, either through forced deportation or voluntary repatriation.
According to human rights monitoring groups, police raids targeting Afghan migrants in Pakistan have intensified. More than 34,000 Afghan migrants have been expelled from Punjab Province alone, resulting in long queues of migrants at the Torkham border crossing.
Writer:Saeed Sameer
