April 06, 2020
Pakistan, to open its border with Afghanistan today, in order to facilitate stranded Afghans inside the country to cross-over. In parallel, arrangements to make way for Pakistani drivers stuck in Spinboldak are also underway.
The border will remain open for the period of four days at two crossing points – Torkham and Chaman. The decision was taken on a special request from Kabul, mentioned Foreign Office (FO) of Pakistan in a statement last week.
“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 FO said in a statement.
The FO said the Torkham and Chaman land border crossings will be opened for a specific period from April 06 to April 09 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,” the statement said.
Earlier, Prime Minister Imran Khan had directed authorities to open the Chaman-Spinboldak border between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Islamabad would continue to support Kabul during the global coronavirus outbreak, reiterated PM Khan.
“Despite the global pandemic of COVID-19, we remain committed to supporting our Afghan brothers and sisters. I have given instructions to open the Chaman-Spinboldak border and let trucks crossover into Afghanistan. In this time of crisis, we remain steadfast with Afghanistan,” PM Imran had said in a tweet, few weeks ago.
On March 16, the government had closed its borders with Iran and Afghanistan, and later with all immediate neighbors, following the outbreak of the coronavirus in the country. Later, on March 21, the country also suspended all international flights for two weeks till April 04, which is now extended till April 11.
Afghan Studies Center hopes that the courtesy extended by Pakistani side will bring comfort to the stranded Afghans and their families in these testing times.
© Afghan Studies Center (ASC), Islamabad.
