LANDIKOTAL: Pakistani students stranded in Afghanistan for over three months began returning home on Monday after permission was granted by authorities on both sides, official sources said.The students had been stuck in Afghanistan due to the prolonged closure of all border crossings between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
It was learnt that 28 Pakistani students arrived at the Torkham border and safely entered Pakistan.The remaining students are expected to return in phases in the coming days as the process continues.
Officials confirmed that coordination between border authorities is underway to facilitate their smooth and secure return.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 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 back-channel diplomacy to break the impasse.Sources said that, on humanitarian grounds, students were now being allowed to cross, though the overall situation remained unchanged, with the border still largely closed and the deadlock between the two neighbours continuing.Officials said the border would remain open for two days to facilitate the return of stranded students to and from Afghanistan.
