Trucks carrying Afghan transit trade supply are waiting for custom clearance at Pak-Afghan border in Chaman. PHOTO: EPA/FILE
Pakistan allows cargo trucks to cross over into Afghanistan thrice a week
Pakistan remains in abiding solidarity with the people of Afghanistan, says FO spokesperson
KARACHI: Pakistan has decided to allow movement of cargo trucks and containers to cross-over into Afghanistan thrice a week starting from April 10 on the neighbouring country's request.
The decision was taken following consultations and coordination between the two countries as per agreed upon protocols, Aisha Farooqui, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said in a statement on Wednesday.
"Responding to Afghanistan government’s special request, and based on humanitarian considerations, it has been decided to facilitate the movement of cargo trucks and containers to cross-over into Afghanistan through Torkham and Chaman border crossing points thrice a week (on Monday, Wednesday and Friday) from 10 April 2020 onwards," she said.
Pakistan gives stranded Afghans four-day window to leave
The FO spokeperson further said that 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.
Later, the government also decided to allow the exit of Afghan nationals, wishing to go back to their country, on the request of Afghanistan government.
Pakistan has taken strict measures to curb the spread of coronavirus which has devastated many regions including Europe and the United States where thousands have died.
COVID-19: Restricted movement in Karachi on eve of Shab-e-Barat
The nationwide tally of COVID-19 patients has soared past 4,200 with 2,108 cases in Punjab, 1,036 in Sindh, 527 in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, 206 in Balochistan, 212 in Gilgit-Baltistan, 92 in Islamabad, and 19 in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
The virus has claimed 60 lives while at least 467 coronavirus patients have recovered.
The number of cases has continued to soar despite the country being under lockdown for the third consecutive week.
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