21 WFP aid vehicles cross into Afghanistan through Torkham

PESHAWAR: Twenty-one vehicles carrying World Food Programme assistance entered Afghanistan through the Torkham border on Tuesday, according to border officials and customs clearing agents.

Officials said all 26 trucks, loaded with food aid for Afghanistan, had reached Torkham from Karachi on Monday. The consignment completed electronic scanning and customs clearance before gate passes were issued for onward movement.

The vehicles did not cross on Monday evening because the border closes at 8pm. They were moved to Zero Point on Tuesday morning, after which 21 trucks were allowed to proceed into Afghanistan. Officials said the remaining five vehicles were also expected to leave for Afghanistan later in the day.

Customs clearing agents said more WFP containers were expected to arrive at Torkham after the first batch was cleared for transit. The crossing, a major trade route between Pakistan and Afghanistan, has remained closed since October 2025 because of an escalating security situation along the border. Earlier this year, a similar convoy of around 20 WFP containers was sent back to Karachi after the Afghan Taliban authorities in Kabul refused to accept assistance from the UN agency.