Trade activities restore after Pakistan open borders with Afghanistan

CHAMAN: Trade activities at Pakistan-Afghanistan borders were resumed on Friday after 49 days closure of the borders due to COVID-19 pandemic.

Pakistan opened its borders, Torkham and Chaman crossing with Afghanistan for the restoration of trade activities on the request of Afghan government.

According to a notification issued by Pakistan’s Foreign Office, the trade activities for thrice a week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) from today onward. “This measure is being taken following consultations and coordination between both sides as per agreed upon protocols,” the notification read.

The notification further said as a neighbour and in view of fraternal relations, Pakistan remains in abiding solidarity with the people of Afghanistan, particularly at this time of global pandemic.

Earlier, on 6 April, Pakistan partially reopened its Torkham and Chaman borders with Afghanistan to only allow the exit of Afghan nationals stranded in the country due to the coronavirus outbreak.

According to the Foreign Office spokesperson, the border crossing will remain open for three days till 9 April for one-way pedestrian movement.

The war-torn country has registred 521 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with a total of 15 deaths and 32 recoveries, while Pakistan has reported 4,600 confirmed corona virus cases. As many as 66 patients have died. More than 700 corona virus patients have regained health.

Both the states have imposed partial lockdowns, directing citizens to stay home as much as possible to limit the spread of coronavirus.

Taking to media the spokesman for the governor of Nangarhar province in Afghanistan, Attaullah Khogyani said the first convoy of hundreds of stranded cargo trucks had started entering Afghanistan.

Khogyani also thanked the Prime Minister Imran Khan for opening the borders for the transit of trade activities.