Pakistan suspends Quetta-Taftan railway service amid coronavirus fears

Coronavirus has claimed 15 lives in Iran

QUETTA: Pakistan on Wednesday suspended train service between Quetta and the border town of Taftan till the reopening of the Pakistan-Iran border closed earlier after the coronavirus outbreak in Iran.

The suspension was announced by Minister for Railways Sheikh Rasheed.

“All the four trains plying between Quetta and Taftan will remain suspended until the closure of Pakistan-Iran border,” said the railways minister in a video message. He also urged passengers to collect their ‘booked luggage’.



Pakistan had closed borders with Iran on Sunday following a spike in novel coronavirus cases in the Islamic Republic which was has claimed 15 lives.

According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), temporary accommodation has been arranged for more than 270 pilgrims who had been quarantined at the Taftan border crossing in Balochistan.

More than 8,000 pilgrims would soon reach temporary camps, added PDMA and a medical emergency has been implemented across all border areas.



Pakistan has deployed 67 doctors at its border crossing with Iran to treat suspected patients of the deadly virus. At the same time, the government has declared a “coronavirus emergency” in five districts of the province – including Chagai, Washuk, Panjgur, Kech and Gwadar – as a preemptive measure

Meanwhile, activities at the Pak-Iran border remain suspended as the provincial government has completely sealed the border at five points not allowing anyone to cross into Pakistan from Iran.