Pakistan on Saturday announced that it will open border crossings with Afghanistan for four days to allow hundreds of stranded Afghan citizens to return home.
Thousands of Afghans including patients have been stuck in Pakistan after since the country closed borders with Afghanistan and Iran to stop the spread of coronavirus.
“At the special request of the Government of Afghanistan and based on humanitarian considerations, Pakistan has decided to allow the exit of Afghan nationals in Pakistan, wishing to go back to their country,” the Foreign Office said, adding that the Torkham and Chaman border crossings will be opened for a specific period from April 6 to April 9 to facilitate Afghan nationals. “As a neighbour and in view of fraternal bilateral relations, Pakistan remains in abiding solidarity with the people of Afghanistan, particularly at this time of global pandemic,” it said.
Afghan ambassador to Pakistan Atif Mashal also confirmed Torkham and Speen Boldak crossings will be open from April 6 to April 9 for Afghans stuck in Pakistan due to Covid-19 travel restrictions. “We thank the Pakistani government for agreeing to this and are hopeful that an announcement about transit trade will be also made soon,” he wrote on Twitter.
Mashal said those Afghans whose visas have expired can also return without visa extension. An Afghan embassy statement said that crossings will be opened for those Afghan nationals who have come to Pakistan on valid visas. The statement said arrangements will be made for the return of at least 1,000 people from each crossing.
Meanwhile, Nangarhar Governor Shahmahmood Miankhel visited Torkham along with provincial health and security officials to asses and plan for those Afghans who might be returning from Pakistan and need to be tested for COVID-19. He said in a tweet that a health clinic in Momand Dara area bordering Pakistan was also inaugurated that will help serve the community regarding urgent health needs. He said coronavirus pandemic has also hit Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and that is why the authorities have taken measures to stop the spread of the virus.
