Pakistan said it was maintaining its policy of keeping out fresh refugees from northern Afghanistan who are fleeing famine or war, but has now dropped its insistence that all travellers should have passports and visas. The scene at the crossing point was chaotic as Afghan travellers crowded around Taleban officials trying to get slips of paper testifying to their identities. Pakistani guards then let most people through in ones and twos. But large family groups from northern Afghanistan remain stranded, with no means of getting home. Refugees accuse the Pakistanis of turning away anyone who can speak Pashtu, the language of the ethnic group which Islamabad officially favours in Afghanistan and to which most of the ruling Taleban belong.
Pakistani officials deny there is any such policy.
Stampede Islamabad had cited economic and security concerns for its decision to close the border. There was disruption to aid lorries, traders and ordinary travellers as well as the official target of the policy - the new refugees. But there was a rush to cross in the limited time available and eyewitnesses said a child and an elderly man were killed in the crush. Pakistani officials blamed Taleban officials for their inability to control the crowds. Until last week no papers were needed for any Afghan who wanted to cross the border for work, education or refuge.