ISLAMABAD: The resumption of trade activities between Pakistan and Afghanistan at the Chaman-Spin Boldak border crossing have brought respite to people living on either side, Pakistani state media reported on Sunday, citing residents.
Pakistani authorities closed the Chaman border in the southwestern Balochistan province in Nov. 2023 amid protests over Islamabad’s decision to limit cross-border travel to only those with valid passports and visas.
Border between the two neighbors has witnessed frequent closures of crossings in recent years over skirmishes between border forces amid heightened tensions between the two countries.
Trade activities through the Chaman-Spin Boldak border crossing resumed this week reportedly to facilitate the movement of goods for the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, which starts in March.
“The people have expressed great satisfaction over the resumption of trade activities between Pakistan and Afghanistan through Chaman-Spin Boldak border,” the state-run Radio Pakistan broadcaster reported.
“The local people have appreciated the endeavors of Pakistan Army and the government in this regard.”
Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan soared amid a spike in militant attacks, including suicide bombings, in Pakistan’s northwestern and southwestern regions that border Afghanistan.
Islamabad said last year the attacks involved a number of Afghans and ordered all illegal foreigners, mostly Afghan nationals, to leave the country by Nov. 1, 2023.
While Kabul denies the allegation and foreign government as well as rights groups have urged Pakistan to reconsider its decision, the repatriation of Afghan nationals, some of them living in Pakistan for decades, continues from different parts of Pakistan.
“So far, more than five hundred three thousand Afghans have been repatriated to Afghanistan,” the Radio Pakistan said in a separate report.
“Over five thousand Afghan nationals returned to their country over the last one week.”
Respite for residents as trade activities resume at Pakistan-Afghanistan border in Chaman
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Respite for residents as trade activities resume at Pakistan-Afghanistan border in Chaman
- The border was closed in Nov. 2023 amid protests over Islamabad’s move to restrict travel to those with valid documents
- It comes as number of Afghans repatriated to their country reaches 500,000 after Islamabad ordered illegal foreigners to leave
UN Security Council calls on states to help Pakistan bring Balochistan attackers to justice
- Security officials say counterterrorism operations have killed 197 separatist militants over three days
- Security Council calls such acts of militant violence criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of motivation
ISLAMABAD: The United Nations Security Council on Tuesday condemned coordinated attacks in Pakistan’s southwestern province of Balochistan, urging all countries to actively cooperate with Islamabad in bringing the perpetrators to justice, as security officials said 197 separatist militants had been killed in counterterrorism operations over the past three days.
The attacks, claimed by the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), targeted security installations and government facilities across multiple districts in the province, killing more than 50 people, including 22 members of the security forces, Pakistani authorities said.
Pakistan has repeatedly accused BLA militants of acting as “Indian proxies” and receiving logistical support from Afghanistan, allegations that both New Delhi and Kabul deny.
“The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the heinous and cowardly terrorist attacks across multiple locations in Balochistan province, Pakistan, on 31st January 2026,” the Council said in a statement circulated by its president, James Kariuki.
“The members of the Security Council underlined the need to hold perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice,” it said. “They urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with the Government of Pakistan in this regard.”
The statement said the attacks resulted in the deaths of Pakistani nationals, among them five women and three children.
“The members of the Security Council expressed their deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and to the Government and the people of Pakistan, and wished a speedy and full recovery to those who were injured,” it added.
A Pakistani security official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said “follow-up and sanitization operations against these terrorists are still ongoing,” adding that 36 Baloch civilians had also “fallen victim to the barbarity of these terrorists.”
He also confirmed the exact death toll on both sides, saying 36 “Baloch citizens who have fallen victim to the barbarity of these terrorists.”
The Council reiterated that such acts of militant violence are criminal and unjustifiable regardless of motivation.
Pakistan is currently serving as a non-permanent Security Council member for the 2025-26 term.
