Daily Times

Following the notification issued by the Foreign Office to resume transportation of cargo goods, about 37 vehicles on Friday loaded with transit commodities crossed into Afghanistan via Torkham bordering point.

The spokesperson of Foreign Office in a press release issued on 8 April, 2020 stated the Torkham and Chaman bordering points will be open thrice a week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) and will be functioned from April 10, 2020.

In the wake of coronavirus outbreak across the country, the Pak government had announced blockade of the western border on March 16, 2020 for transportation and pedestrians movement.

The official in Torkham told that as many as 37 trucks and containers loaded with various merchandise goods including sugar, beverages ,peanuts etc crossed the border to Afghanistan, unloaded the consignments near the Afghan custom house and returned back to Pakistan.

Sources said about 30 loaded vehicles on each day will cross the Torkham bordering point. As 300 to 350 vehicles are struck in various parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, sources added.

Before leaving the vehicles terminal in Torkham, the drivers wore the safety dresses and fumigation spray was conducted at every vehicle to curtain menace of COVID 19.

The statement said that the step has been taken with consultation of the both sides and on special request of the Afghan government.

On the other the Torkham border was suspended for passengers crossing following remained open for four days to facilitate Afghan nationals willing to move to their native countries.