Torkham border closed for all types of immigration

The minister added that the decision was taken on the advice of the National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC).

Pakistan had closed its Torkham border over one month earlier after corona virus positive cases surged in Afghanistan.

The border is still closed but Pakistani citizens could cross the border into Afghanistan despite the closure. As per the latest order, Pakistani citizens will not be allowed either to cross the border as the ban include both departure and arrival.

It comes as Pakistan embassy in Kabul said yesterday that it is willing to repatriate Pakistanis stranded in Afghanistan after Saudi Arabia suspended flights from Afghanistan as a result of rapid spread of covid-19.

Four thousand Pakistani citizens are now staying in Afghanistan who had come to Afghanistan to fly to Saudi Arabia.

Pakistani government had given permission to Afghan students, studying in Pakistan, to cross Torkham border so that they do not lose their semesters.

The dry port will remain open for transit purposes and the import and export of goods will continue as normal.