Afghan Clearance at Torkham Delays WFP Food Shipment

News Desk

Khyber: At one of the busiest crossings between Pakistan and Afghanistan, a convoy carrying desperately needed food assistance sits in uncertainty, highlighting the complex challenges surrounding humanitarian aid delivery to Afghanistan.

A total of 21 containers carrying food supplies from the World Food Programme (WFP) have reached the Torkham border in Khyber district, but their journey remains incomplete as they await clearance from Afghan authorities before entering the country.

According to border officials, all necessary legal and customs procedures on the Pakistani side have been completed, including documentation and clearance requirements. However, the containers cannot proceed until approval is granted by Afghan authorities.

The shipment is part of the WFP’s ongoing humanitarian operations aimed at supporting communities affected by food insecurity in Afghanistan, where millions continue to rely on international assistance for basic nutritional needs.

The delay comes amid continued uncertainty at the Torkham crossing, a critical trade and humanitarian corridor between the two countries.

Earlier, Pakistani customs authorities issued gate passes to 26 WFP containers carrying food and essential supplies, allowing them to move towards Afghanistan after completing customs formalities. However, officials and clearing agents said the vehicles remained at the terminal as they waited for final approval for cross-border movement.

Customs clearing agents said Goods Declaration (GD) documents had been submitted and required procedures, including electronic scanning, had been completed. They added that officials had indicated that cleared vehicles would be permitted to cross once approval from the relevant authorities was received.

The Torkham border has remained closed for regular cross-border movement since October 2025 due to security concerns, making humanitarian shipments dependent on special arrangements and permissions.

The current convoy has also brought back memories of an earlier setback when a similar WFP shipment of around 20 containers was returned to Karachi after Afghan authorities declined to accept assistance from the UN agency.

The latest shipment now awaits a decision that will determine whether the food supplies reach vulnerable communities in Afghanistan or remain stranded at the border.

For humanitarian agencies, the situation underscores the fragile nature of aid operations in conflict-affected regions, where political, security and administrative hurdles can delay assistance meant for people facing urgent food shortages.