Pakistani customs authorities issued gate passes on Monday to 26 World Food Programme (WFP) containers carrying food and essential relief supplies for Afghanistan. The move marks a significant humanitarian development despite the continued closure of the Torkham border, a key trade and transit route between the two neighboring countries.
The Torkham crossing has remained closed since October 2025 because of the deteriorating security situation along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Nevertheless, customs officials completed the required procedures for the humanitarian shipment.
Customs Complete Clearance Process
Customs clearing agents told Dawn that they submitted the required Goods Declaration (GD) documents earlier in the day. However, the containers remained at the Torkham import terminal for several hours while officials awaited final approval from higher authorities.
Later in the evening, customs authorities issued gate passes for all 26 containers, although the border remained officially closed for regular cross-border movement.
According to the clearing agents, officials informed them that the cleared vehicles would be allowed to proceed into Afghanistan on Tuesday. They added that all mandatory customs formalities, including electronic scanning and clearance procedures, had already been completed.
The shipment contains food and other essential humanitarian supplies provided by the World Food Programme to support people in Afghanistan.
Taliban Approval Still Awaited
Despite Pakistan’s clearance, the final movement of the convoy depends on approval from the Afghan Taliban authorities. Officials expect the outcome to become clear on Tuesday when the convoy reaches the border crossing.
Earlier this year, a similar WFP convoy of around 20 containers was returned to Karachi after the Afghan Taliban declined to accept humanitarian assistance from the United Nations agency.
As a result, uncertainty remains over whether the latest convoy will receive permission to enter Afghanistan.
The successful customs clearance demonstrates Pakistan’s willingness to facilitate humanitarian assistance. However, the delivery of the aid ultimately depends on the decision of the Afghan authorities.
If approved, the shipment will provide much-needed food and essential supplies to vulnerable communities across Afghanistan while reinforcing ongoing humanitarian relief efforts in the region.
