Pak-Afghan border crossing at Bab-e-Dosti** in Chaman remained closed for a second consecutive day on Thursday following overnight tensions between border forces of the two countries.
According to Deputy Commissioner (DC) Chaman, Habib Ahmad Bangulzai, all bilateral trade and pedestrian movement through the crossing have been suspended. “The Bab-e-Dosti gate remains shut for all kinds of two-way activities, including visa and passport-based travel,” the DC said, adding that the immigration operations are temporarily halted.
He confirmed that additional security personnel have been deployed along the border, and joint patrolling is being conducted by the security forces to ensure peace and stability in the border areas. “A high alert has been declared in Chaman and adjacent regions,” DC Bangulzai added.
Official sources said that more than 150,000 Afghan refugees.have so far been repatriated to Afghanistan through various crossing points in the province. “The repatriation process continues gradually, though formal cross-border movement at Chaman remains suspended,” the DC noted. He added that the authorities are providing a temporary shelters, food, drinking water, and medical facilities to Afghan families awaiting transit.
The closure of the border has disrupted cross-border trade, affecting hundreds of trucks loaded with perishable goods on both sides. The Bab-e-Dosti gate serves as one of the most vital trade and transit points between Pakistan and Afghanistan.Despite the closure, local residents reported that life in Chaman city and nearby areas remains largely normal, with routine business and markets functioning as usual.
Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have intensified in recent days.due to border security incidents and disagreements over the repatriation of undocumented Afghan nationals.
Authorities have yet to announce when the Bab-e-Dosti crossing will be reopened for normal movement.
