ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will open Torkham and Chaman border crossings for four days from Monday (today) to allow the exit of Afghan nationals in Pakistan, wishing to go back to their country.

Foreign Office Spokesperson Aisha Farooqui said in a statement that the step had been taken on a special request of the Afghan government based on humanitarian considerations and to facilitate the Afghan nationals.

Also Read: PM Khan orders reopening of Pakistan-Afghanistan Chaman border

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

On Mar 20, Prime Minister Imran Khan had ordered the reopening of the Chaman border between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

“Despite the global pandemic of COVID 19, we remain committed to supporting our Afghan brothers and sisters,” the premier had tweeted.

He had also ordered that Pakistani trucks should be allowed to cross over into Afghanistan.

Previously, the government closed Pakistan’s Taftan and Chaman borders as a precautionary measure to control the country’s coronavirus outbreak. European flights have been suspended, too.

In Balochistan, thousands of Iranian pilgrims who have entered the country from the Taftan border are being quarantined.