By Ashrafuddin Pirzada
LANDIKOTAL: Marking a rare humanitarian relief amid ongoing border tensions, the Pakistani students stranded in Afghanistan for over three months have begun returning home following permission granted by the authorities on both sides, official sources said on Monday.
According to official sources, 28 Pakistani students arrived at the Torkham border and safely entered Pakistan. The remaining stranded students were expected to return in phases in the coming days as the repatriation process continues. Officials confirmed that coordination between border authorities was underway to facilitate their smooth and secure return.
The students had been stuck in Afghanistan due to the prolonged closure of all border crossings between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
All major border points were shut on October 11, nearly three months ago, after heavy clashes erupted between the security forces of both countries. During the confrontation, light and heavy weapons were reportedly used, leading to the loss of several lives on both sides and further straining already fragile bilateral relations.
In an effort to defuse tensions and restore cross-border movement, multiple rounds of negotiations were held in Doha and Istanbul. However, these talks failed to produce any tangible results.
Despite this, official delegations from both countries, along with representatives of friendly states, remain engaged in backchannel diplomacy to break the impasse.
Sources said that while limited humanitarian cases, such as students, were now being allowed to cross, the overall situation remained unchanged, with the border still largely closed and the deadlock between the two neighbours continuing.
