Pakistan gives stranded Afghans four-day window to leave

Torkham and Chaman border crossings will be opened for a specific period from April 6 to 9, says FO

ISLAMABAD: At the special request of Afghanistan government, Pakistan has decided to allow the exit of Afghan nationals, wishing to go back to their country.

“The Torkham and Chaman land border crossings will be opened for a specific period from April 6 to April 9 to facilitate Afghan nationals,” a statement issued by the Foreign Office said on Saturday.

The statement noted that that 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.

Pakistan had sealed its borders both with Iran and Afghanistan earlier this month as part of its measures to control the spread of coronavirus. The government, however, later allowed the movement of goods at Chaman border.

Pakistan currently hosts around 2.8 million both documented and undocumented Afghan refugees. Besides that, there are thousands of others who shuttle between the two countries.

It is believed that many Afghans, who visited Pakistan due to business or other reasons, remained stuck in the country due to border closure in the wake of coronavirus outbreak.

The temporary opening of the border will allow those Afghans to return to their country.