Afghanistan

Pakistan urges ‘one-document regime’ at Afghanistan border

The Torkham crossing. Sept. 15, 2022. File photo.

ISLAMABAD — The Pakistani Foreign Ministry emphasized the implementation of a “one-document regime” at its borders with Afghanistan, requiring a visa and passport for entry into Pakistan.

Speaking at her weekly news briefing in Islamabad on Thursday, Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch stated that no foreigner would be allowed to enter Pakistan without proper documentation.

“One-document regime will be ensured and no foreigner will be allowed to enter into Pakistan without proper documents,” Baloch said.

The announcement comes after Pakistan briefly reopened the Spin Boldak border crossing for travel without a passport and visa, only to close it again after 24 hours, leaving many people stranded on both sides.

This comes as Pakistan has deported nearly 700,000 undocumented Afghan immigrations since October 2023, leaving them with dire conditions in Afghanistan.