ISLAMABAD – Pakistani PM Imran Khan comes to rescue Afghanistan in hour ofdire need.
Prime Minister Imran Khan has ordered opening of the Pakistan-Afghanistanborder at Chaman “despite the global pandemic” to support Afghan “brothersand sisters” as the novel coronavirus stalks the region.
“Despite the global pandemic of COVID-19, we remain committed to supportingour Afghan brothers & sisters,” the prime minister said in an early Fridaytweet.
He added that he had given instructions to open the border between Chamanand Spin Boldak, in Kandahar. He also told authorities to “let trucks crossover into Afghanistan”.
“In time of crisis, we remain steadfast with Afghanistan,” he said.
The John Hopkins data said Afghanistan has 22 confirmed cases of thecoronavirus and one death. According to International Organisation ofMigration, over 100,000 Afghans were deported or returned voluntarily fromIran since the outbreak of the virus in the country.
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Majority of Pakistan’s 454 confirmed cases are pilgrims who returned fromIran through the Taftan border crossing while others are with a travelhistory. However, more than 40 people contracted the virus locally in Sindh.
The prime minister’s decision comes at a time when countries across theglobe have closed down borders and restricted air travel to contain theCOVID-19 disease which has caused thousands of lives globally and infectedtens of thousands others.
Here is a list of countries that have shut their borders and limited airtravel.
