ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Monday reopened its borders with Afghanistan, for four days until April 9, to allow Afghan nationals stranded in the country to return home.
“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 in a statement.
It follows the sealing of the Torkham and Chaman crossings on March 16 to curb the cross-border spread of coronavirus from the neighboring country.
The move had impacted a huge number of Afghans in Pakistan, particularly traders, those visiting families, or seeking better medical treatment.
According to the latest tally available from both the countries, seven people have died from coronavirus in Afghanistan and 299 have tested positive, while the confirmed number of cases crossed 3,200 in Pakistan on Saturday with 50 death reported.
The foreign ministry added that as a neighbor and in view of fraternal bilateral relations, Pakistan remained “in abiding solidarity with the people of Afghanistan, particularly at this time of global pandemic.”
Earlier on March 20, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan allowed the Chaman border to open briefly, to facilitate the flow of foodstuff and perishable commodities to Afghanistan.