50 Afghan Children Repatriated via Torkham on Humanitarian Grounds

Pakistani authorities repatriated 50 Afghan children, including 17 girls, through the Torkham border on humanitarian grounds. The minors were apprehended while illegally crossing into Pakistan at night without any travel documents.
The children were being used by smugglers to transport goods across the border, earning up to Rs6,000 per trip from Afghanistan and Rs200–400 from the Pakistani side. They were released without legal action following the intervention of a local tribal jirga, which appealed for their safe return, citing their young age and vulnerable condition.
Authorities revealed that many of these children are victims of poverty and exploitation, drawn into cross-border smuggling due to lack of livelihood options.
Meanwhile, Afghan nationals holding Tazkiras were also allowed to return to their country after a six-day delay caused by technical issues in the immigration system. The border had reopened following a 27-day closure.