A key border crossing between Pakistan and Afghanistan has been temporarily reopened for Afghan migrants to return to their home after both sides agreed to a ceasefire to pause fighting that has killed dozens of people over recent days.

The Chaman crossing in southwest Pakistan is only open for Afghan refugees to leave as part of a nationwide crackdown on foreigners living in Pakistan illegally.

Entry from Afghanistan, including trade and pedestrian movement, remains suspended.

On Sunday hundreds of Afghan refugees crossed over at the border point.

Shafiullah Khan, an Afghan refugee, welcomed the reopening.

"We are so happy with the governments of Afghanistan and Pakistan for this peace agreement, the refugees were suffering a lot," he said.

"But now after this peace agreement we are happy and will be going back to our country.”

Traders meanwhile, called for the crossing to be permanently reopened.

Islamabad and Kabul agreed to an "immediate ceasefire" at talks brokered by Qatar.

Violence has escalated between the neighbors since earlier this month, with each country saying they were responding to aggression from the other.

Afghanistan denies harboring militants who carry out attacks in border areas.

Pakistan is grappling with militancy that has surged since 2021, when the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan and returned to power.

The fighting between Afghanistan and Pakistan has severely disrupted people's lives.

The two countries share a 2,611-kilometer (1,622-mile) long border known as the Durand Line, which Afghanistan has never recognized. They have just two main trade routes.

The Torkham crossing, which straddles Pakistan's northwest and Afghanistan's east, is completely closed.